Greek citizens continue protests against government's austerity measures

Hundreds of protesters took part in the gatherings organized by labor unions close to the two Left parties represented in the Greek Parliament, in front of the old university of Athens and the parliament building.

Holding banners with slogans against the government's policies, the measures included in the Stability and Growth Program and the "interference of foreigners from Brussels and IMF in Greece," they asked for one more time for a different approach and an alternative solution to the problems.

The protesters vowed to continue the strikes and demonstrations until they will be heard, while the government was finalizing the draft law on the reform of the taxation system and was reassuring that "Greece can get though the economic crisis on its own means," as government spokesman George Petalotis said.

"We do not discuss a renegotiation of the EU Summit meeting decision on a support mechanism for member-states, nor the enactment of that mechanism today. We focus on the implementation of the Stability Program," Petalotis said on Thursday, rejecting the scenario that Greece is due to declare bankruptcy; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.