Greek police clash with protestors

Police in the Greek capital, Athens, have clashed with thousands of demonstrators protesting over the government's privatisation plans during anationwide strike.

Riot police used teargas to disperse demonstrators who tried to enter the parliament building.

The action has disrupted traffic and public services across the country.

The twenty-four-hour stoppage was called by the country's two biggest trade unions.

The BBC correspondent in Athens says the violence highlights the growing anger among Greek workers over the government's effort to meet the economic criteria for eventual membership of the single European currency.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service