Greece crisis: Greek MPs face second austerity vote

The vote is about putting into practice the tax hikes, pay cuts, privatisations and public sector redundancies approved in principle on Wednesday.

The vote was a retreat from the "grave scenario of default", the EU said.

Public reaction has been very hostile, and the debate has been accompanied by strikes and violent protest.

Clashes continued on Syntagma (Constitution) Square outside parliament overnight, as police fired tear gas at stone-throwing youths.

Protesters set fire to a post office in the finance ministry building, on another part of the square.

But Athenian street cleaning crews have now come out in force removing debris from two days of battles in the square, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens.

Police have restricted access to the city centre to prevent demonstrators from obstructing members of parliament heading to vote on the new law.

Some Athenians have accused the police of heavy-handed tactics, and newspapers have railed against what one called "an orgy of state terror", our correspondent says.

Some accused the police of over-using tear gas.

Scores of people were treated for injuries and severe breathing problems; Kazinform cites BBC News.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk