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Greek MPs row over fire response Greek MPs row over fire response
(30 minutes later)
Opposition MPs in Greece have attacked the government's response to the country's devastating forest fires, which have claimed at least 63 lives.Opposition MPs in Greece have attacked the government's response to the country's devastating forest fires, which have claimed at least 63 lives.
The leader of the Socialist (Pasok) party, George Papandreou, said the government was "totally incompetent".The leader of the Socialist (Pasok) party, George Papandreou, said the government was "totally incompetent".
Other parties accused PM Costas Karamanlis of failing the nation. Correspondents say the fires are likely to dominate political debate head of a general election on 16 September.
Mr Karamanlis said the general election would go ahead as planned in September but added his priority was the victims and not political point-scoring. The PM said the poll would proceed as planned but his priority was the victims, not political point-scoring.
"We are continuing a determined struggle against the fires," the prime minister said. "We are continuing a determined struggle against the fires," Costas Karamanlis said.
See map of affected areas See map of affected areas
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Athens, says Greece has the feel of a country on a war footing, and says it is awash with theories about who could have set fire to the land.The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Athens, says Greece has the feel of a country on a war footing, and says it is awash with theories about who could have set fire to the land.
'Absolutely nonsense''Absolutely nonsense'
In the capital, Athens, hundreds of people took to the streets in protest.In the capital, Athens, hundreds of people took to the streets in protest.
The hill of Kronos, overlooking Olympia, was engulfed by fire In pictures: Greek infernoThe hill of Kronos, overlooking Olympia, was engulfed by fire In pictures: Greek inferno
Some of the demonstrators said they believed the fires were deliberately started by property developers in order to clear the land for development.Some of the demonstrators said they believed the fires were deliberately started by property developers in order to clear the land for development.
However, the president of the Hellenic Property Federation, Stratos Paradias, told the BBC that the suspicions were unfounded.However, the president of the Hellenic Property Federation, Stratos Paradias, told the BBC that the suspicions were unfounded.
"That's absolutely nonsense, this allegation, because if there is a company which wants to get its hands on some piece of land, to burn this land is the worst way to do it."That's absolutely nonsense, this allegation, because if there is a company which wants to get its hands on some piece of land, to burn this land is the worst way to do it.
"Once a forest is burnt, according to our constitution, within three months the Forestry Service is obliged to pass a decree according to which this land is reforested.""Once a forest is burnt, according to our constitution, within three months the Forestry Service is obliged to pass a decree according to which this land is reforested."
The people here are angry, frustrated and sad Jona DesselbergerBBC News website reader, in AthensThe people here are angry, frustrated and sad Jona DesselbergerBBC News website reader, in Athens
Meanwhile, seven people have been charged with arson and a further 26 face lesser charges linked to the fires that have blighted Greece since July.Meanwhile, seven people have been charged with arson and a further 26 face lesser charges linked to the fires that have blighted Greece since July.
Anti-terrorist squads are involved in the investigation, and a 1m-euro (£678,000) reward has been offered to help catch those responsible.Anti-terrorist squads are involved in the investigation, and a 1m-euro (£678,000) reward has been offered to help catch those responsible.
The government declared a state of emergency over the weekend as new fires, fanned by hot, gusting winds, continued to break out around Greece.The government declared a state of emergency over the weekend as new fires, fanned by hot, gusting winds, continued to break out around Greece.
On Monday, terrified residents in Frixa in western Peloponnese were airlifted to safety by helicopters after being cut off by fire and thick black smoke.On Monday, terrified residents in Frixa in western Peloponnese were airlifted to safety by helicopters after being cut off by fire and thick black smoke.
Isolated villages have been cut off in the region, sparking fears that the death toll could rise further.Isolated villages have been cut off in the region, sparking fears that the death toll could rise further.
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