Rioting Greeks throw petrol bombs at police
Greek protesters have clashed with riot police in Athens as anger about financial reform boils over.
Several hundred protesters waving red flags and wearing red bandannas confronted the police in the Greek capital on Saturday morning.
Two petrol bombs were hurled at the police lines, and armed police fired tear gas to dispel the crowd. Angry protesters set fire to rubbish cans and two television broadcast vans.
“No to the IMF’s junta!” protesters chanted, referring to the military dictatorship which ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.
“Hands off our rights! IMF and EU Commission out!,” the protesters shouted as they marched to parliament.
Shops were closed, ships stayed docked and the streets of the capital were unusually empty except for protesters marching towards parliament, metres away from the Finance Ministry where EU and IMF officials have been meeting for days to agree a new set of austerity measures.
Union leaders are hopeful that the May Day protests will highlight Greek resistance to the wage cuts, tax rises and pension reductions expected to be implemented.
But there were fears that violent anarchist and hard-left factions were intent on wreaking as much havoc as possible.
Television footage showed protester being directed into organised charges against police lines, and then being repelled by tear gas canisters.
Riot squad officers, clad in helmets and heavy protective clothing, also periodically laid into the crowd after being hit with rocks.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has warned the country to be prepared to face a period of hardship.
The full details of the Greek bail-out are expected to be revealed this weekend if the Eurozone leaders finally sign off the multi-billion dollar package, which is designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its enormous debt obligations.
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