Riots in Athens as thousands protest against cutbacks

Masked youths stoned police outside Greece's parliament today in protest at cutbacks proposed to try to end the country's debt crisis.

Riot police responded with tear gas and baton charges as more than 7,000 demonstrators gathered in the centre of Athens. They arrested six demonstrators, while onlookers said two officers were badly beaten.

Protesters attacked the leader of Greece's biggest trade union and chased guards away from the country's tomb of the unknown soldier. Youths also fought with police inside the Council of State and tried to break into the labour ministry.

Inside parliament, politicians were debating the 4.8 billion (£4.33 billion) austerity bill, which is expected to pass despite strong opposition. It will raise consumer taxes and slash public sector workers' pay by up to 8%.

The GSEE and the ADEDY unions held strikes against the measures, while hospitals, schools and public transport were closed. GSEE head Yiannis Panagopoulos fought with rioters before being led away bloodied and with torn clothes.

Prime minister George Papandreou was in Luxembourg today holding talks with Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the eurozone finance ministers group. He was also to meet German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin as he seeks EU leaders' support.

Mrs Merkel said she expected "interesting" talks with Mr Papandreou, saying Greece's successful bond issue this week "gives us optimism".

Greece's centre-Left government says it is seeking 16 billion (£14.45 billion) in savings this yea, to reduce a bloated budget deficit of 30 billion (£27.1 billion) that is over four times the EU limit as a percentage of annual output.