Turkish opposition calls on prime minister to halt escalating tensions

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey's opposition party leader has called on the prime minister to stop escalating tensions as anti-government protests that have led to three deaths entered their 11th day.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a series of fiery speeches to thousands of his supporters, saying the government's patience was running thin, demanding an end to the protests and threatening to hold those who don't respect his government to account. He has also called major pro-government rallies in Ankara and Istanbul next weekend.

In comments published in Hurriyet newspaper Monday, main opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said Erdogan was "trying to hold on to power by creating tensions" and was "throwing society into the fire."

Erdogan is scheduled to discuss the protests with Cabinet ministers on Monday.