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Clashes in Athens as Greek PM seeks EU debt help
Masked youths attacked the leader of Greece's biggest union and stoned police in Athens Friday in an outbreak of violence over cutbacks proposed by Prime Minister George Papandreou, who was abroad seeking European leaders' support for his efforts to defuse the country's debt crisis.
Riot police in Athens used tear gas on rioters while others chased ceremonial guards in 19th-century kilts and tasseled garters away from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside parliament. It was the biggest outburst of violence since the rioting that gripped Greek cities in 2008.
Police say they arrested 6 people, while bystanders said at least two officers were badly beaten.
More than 7,000 demonstrators gathered to protest the $6.5 billion austerity package, which will hike consumer taxes and slash public sector workers' pay by up to 8 percent.