Turkey has begun cleaning up its streets after two days of clashes between police and protesters in the largest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Pockets of die-hard demonstrators remained in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, the focal point of the protests, lighting fires and chanting anti-government slogans.

But the rain kept large crowds away and streets were much quieter.

However, there were calls on social media for further protests later in the day both in Istanbul and the capital Ankara, and by early afternoon protesters started returning to Taksim.

Akin, who has been in Taksim for the past four days, said: “We are not leaving. The only answer now is for this government to fall. We are tired of this oppressive government constantly putting pressure on us.

“This is no longer about these trees,” he said, referring to Taksim’s Gezi Park, which was the initial focus of the protests.

Amnesty International said there had been two deaths, and Turkey’s Western allies including Britain and the US called on the  government to show restraint. 

Police withdrew from Taksim Square on Saturday after violent clashes that left dozens injured, many affected by tear gas fired by officers. Police also turned water cannon on the demonstrators.

Almost 1,000 people have been arrested in 90 demonstrations held across the vast nation. 

What began as an outcry against plans to build a shopping centre or apartments on the park snowballed into a broader protest against the Islamist-rooted government, which critics say has become increasingly authoritarian.

Sky’s Correspondent Katie Stallard said that rubble littered the main streets around Taksim Square.

“There is about 48 hours-worth of damage done here,” she said.

“There is graffiti up and down the street calling for Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, to resign; calling for people to unite against facism.”

Shopkeepers scrubbed anti-government graffiti off walls, and slogans were also sprayed on burnt-out vehicles including a police car and a bus.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said there had been examples of “extreme” police action.

But he added: “I call on the protesters to stop their demonstrations immediately.”

The interior ministry said that legal action would be taken against police officers who had acted “disproportionately”.

The country’s Doctors’ Association said four people have permanently lost their eyesight after being hit by gas canisters or plastic bullets.

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