Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday criticized demonstrations across the country to mark the first anniversary of the Gezi Park resistance movement.

In his televised speech, Erdogan said the demonstrations aimed to set streets on fire and exploit each and every incident, adding the Turkish state and its people have no patience left for these people who are "devoted to violence."

Turkish riot police on Saturday attacked thousands of protesters in Ankara, Istanbul and some 30 other cities across the country who intended to stage massive demonstrations to mark the first anniversary of the Gezi Park resistance movement.

The Gezi protests erupted on May 27, 2013, when a small group of protesters refused to leave Gezi Park in Istanbul in order to prevent the cutting of trees where a large development project was planned by the government. Following the government's harsh response, protests turned nationwide. Endi

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