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Greece hit by new general strike over austerity Greece hit by new general strike over austerity
(about 1 hour later)
A general strike is under way in Greece in protest against the next round of spending cuts, required in return for another bailout instalment.A general strike is under way in Greece in protest against the next round of spending cuts, required in return for another bailout instalment.
It is the country's 20th national stoppage since the debt crisis erupted two years ago and comes as EU leaders meet in Brussels.It is the country's 20th national stoppage since the debt crisis erupted two years ago and comes as EU leaders meet in Brussels.
Taxi drivers, ferry workers, doctors, teachers and air traffic controllers are among those taking part.Taxi drivers, ferry workers, doctors, teachers and air traffic controllers are among those taking part.
A small stand-off is going on between police and demonstrators in Athens.A small stand-off is going on between police and demonstrators in Athens.
Protesters have been throwing petrol bombs and stones at police blocking off parts of the capital's main square before parliament, and police have responded with tear gas.Protesters have been throwing petrol bombs and stones at police blocking off parts of the capital's main square before parliament, and police have responded with tear gas.
Thousands of protesters gathered for rallies ahead of two separate demonstrations in central Athens, under heavy police presence.Thousands of protesters gathered for rallies ahead of two separate demonstrations in central Athens, under heavy police presence.
Other protests are also planned across the country.Other protests are also planned across the country.
The strike is taking place as European leaders are in Brussels for a summit in which Greece's economic fate is likely to feature large.The strike is taking place as European leaders are in Brussels for a summit in which Greece's economic fate is likely to feature large.
Greece is currently preparing a 13.5bn-euro (£11bn; $17.7bn) austerity package to satisfy the "troika" of International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank lenders in return for its next 31.5bn-euro tranche of aid.Greece is currently preparing a 13.5bn-euro (£11bn; $17.7bn) austerity package to satisfy the "troika" of International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank lenders in return for its next 31.5bn-euro tranche of aid.
The country is due to run out of money next month.The country is due to run out of money next month.
However, trade union leaders says they hope to show EU leaders that a new wave of wage and pension cuts will only worsen the plight of the Greek people.However, trade union leaders says they hope to show EU leaders that a new wave of wage and pension cuts will only worsen the plight of the Greek people.
'Catastrophic measures''Catastrophic measures'
Greece is in its fifth consecutive year of recession and more than a quarter of its workforce is unemployed.Greece is in its fifth consecutive year of recession and more than a quarter of its workforce is unemployed.
"Just once, the government ought to reject the troika's absurd demands," said Yannis Panagopoulos, head of the GSEE private sector union."Just once, the government ought to reject the troika's absurd demands," said Yannis Panagopoulos, head of the GSEE private sector union.
"Agreeing to catastrophic measures means driving society to despair, and the consequences as well as the protests will then be indefinite," he added."Agreeing to catastrophic measures means driving society to despair, and the consequences as well as the protests will then be indefinite," he added.
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says cracks are already appearing within the coalition government as party leaders disagree over job losses and other austerity measures.The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says cracks are already appearing within the coalition government as party leaders disagree over job losses and other austerity measures.
Anger has led to a loss of faith in the state, he says, with Greeks increasingly turning to political extremes such as the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party.Anger has led to a loss of faith in the state, he says, with Greeks increasingly turning to political extremes such as the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party.
Although the Greek government has vowed to stay the course, social unrest could yet prove explosive, our correspondent adds.Although the Greek government has vowed to stay the course, social unrest could yet prove explosive, our correspondent adds.
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