Violent protests over Greek austerity measures

Riot police officers walk pass a fire as they clash protesters in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens on February 12, 2012. Greek police today used tear gas on petrol bomb-throwing protesters outside parliament where lawmakers were debating a new austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy.

Banners hung by members of a Communist Party and reading in Greek and English "Down with the dictatorship of the monopolies European Union" are seen in front on the Parthenon Temple at the ancient Acropolis hill on February 11, 2012.

Police officers disperse protesters who demonstrate in front of the Greek parliament during a 48-hour anti-austerity strike in Athens on February 11, 2012. A large demonstration under heavy police watch ended peacefully in the Greek capital after the government approved unpopular austerity cuts to get vital rescue funds and avoid the "chaos" of a default. The defection-hit coalition government approved in the early hours the painful belt-tightening measures that the EU and the IMF have demanded in return for a 130 billion euro (171 billion USD) rescue package that Athens needs to avoid default in March.

Police watch protestors demonstrating during a 48-hour anti-austerity strike outside the Greek Parliament on February 11, 2012 in Athens. Thousands of protestors massed in Athens under heavy police watch today after the government approved a fresh wave of austerity measures in order to receive a 130-billion-euro bailout to avoid defaulting on its debt.

Protestors demonstrate during a 48-hour anti-austerity strike outside the Greek Parliament on February 11, 2012 in Athens Greece. Thousands of protestors massed in Athens under heavy police watch today after the government approved a fresh wave of austerity measures in order to receive a 130bn-euro bailout to avoid defaulting on its debt.

Protesters clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens on February 12, 2012. Greek police today used tear gas on petrol bomb-throwing protesters outside parliament where lawmakers were debating a new austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy.

Protesters clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens on February 12, 2012.

A protesting couple holds hands as they cover their mouths to protect themselves from tear gas during clashes with riot police near the Greek parliament, as part of a 48-hour general strike in Athens, on February 12, 2012.

Protesters clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens on February 12, 2012. Greek police today used tear gas on petrol bomb-throwing protesters outside parliament where lawmakers were debating a new austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy.

Protesters march in front of the Greek Parliament during a 48-hour anti-austerity strike in Athens on February 11, 2012. A large demonstration under heavy police watch ended peacefully in the Greek capital after the government approved unpopular austerity cuts to get vital rescue funds and avoid the "chaos" of a default.

A protester wearing a gas mask shelters himself as he clashes with riot policemen outside the parliament building, during a 48-hour general strike in Athens, on February 12, 2012.

Riot policemen walk past fires created by petrol bombs in front of the Parliament in Athens during clashes with protesters, on February 12, 2012. Greek police today used tear gas on petrol bomb-throwing protesters outside parliament where lawmakers were debating a new austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy.

A protester uses a flare pistol against riot police during clashes in a 48-hour general strike in Athens on February 12, 2012. Greek police today used tear gas on petrol bomb-throwing protesters outside parliament where lawmakers were debating a new austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy. Police said some 25,000 protesters were massed outside the building and at nearby Omonia Square, with some 3,000 police deployed and more protesters arriving.

Demonstrators clash with police during the demonstration against the new austerity measures in Syntagma Square on February 12, 2012 in Athens, Greece. Greece's creditors have demanded further austerity measures before approving a new bailout from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund amid renewed concerns the country may default.

Protesters clash with riot police in front of the parliament in Athens on February 12, 2012. Greek police on Sunday used tear gas on petrol bomb-throwing protesters outside Parliament where lawmakers were debating a new austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy. Police said some 25,000 protesters were massed outside the building and at nearby Omonia Square, with some 3,000 police deployed and more protesters arriving.

Medics treat an injured demonstrator before driving them away from the demonstration against the new austerity measures in Syntagma Square on February 12, 2012 in Athens, Greece. Greece's creditors have demanded further austerity measures before approving a new bailout from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund amid renewed concerns the country may default.

Stones and what appears to be red paint are seen on the ground during the demonstration against the new austerity measures in Syntagma Square on February 12, 2012 in Athens, Greece. Greece's creditors have demanded further austerity measures before approving a new bailout from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund amid renewed concerns the country may default.