Greek students clash with police

Students clash with police in front of the Greek parliament during a protest on Dec 2, 2010. Reuters photo

At least five people have been arrested in fresh clashes between student protesters and police outside of parliament in Athens over government austerity plans.

Security forces used tear gas to disperse a crowd of approximately 1,500 students attempting to march to the British Embassy in Athens.

The demonstrators showed unity with British students by holding banners which read, "Solidarity to the struggle of British students," Reuters reported.

British university students are facing an almost tripling of their tuition fees by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.

The ongoing demonstrations in Greece were sparked by public outrage against economic reforms, which include eliminating over-time pay and bonuses.

The government agreed to the measures in exchange for a EUR 110 billion rescue package from the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In return, the Socialist government has also slashed pensions and salaries, increased taxes and made it easier for the private sector to sack workers and cut wages.

Trade unions are strongly opposed to the measures and have been organizing demonstrations for months now.

They are calling for a nationwide general strike against the EU-IMF bailout on December 15 -- the seventh this year.

Student groups are planning sit-ins on university campuses around the country.

Protests will also be held on Monday, December 6, to mark second anniversary of the police shooting of a teenager, which led to nationwide riots.

LF/MB