Turkey's parliament approved a law boosting government control over appointment of judges and prosecutors yesterday after a heated debate and a brawl that left an opposition lawmaker hospitalised.

Dozens of MPs fought in the 20-hour debate and insults flew. One opposition deputy called prime minister Tayyip Erdogan a dictator.

The battle to control the Higher Council of Judges and Prosecutors, which appoints senior members of the judiciary, is at the heart of a feud between Erdogan and influential US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.