Scenes From The Greek Protests 2011

The Greek Parliament has voted to back a package of deep spending cuts that should go some way to clearing a path for the release of funds and potentially a second bailout for the country by the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Greek unions began a 48-hour strike as protests in Syntagma Square, outside the parliament building, turned violent as MPs debated the austerity package. Police fired tear gas to contain crowds and fought running battles with protestors, who attacked the finance ministry building in Athens as voting began.

Earlier in the month, Greece's parliament backed Prime Minister George Papandreou's new cabinet in a vote of confidence and stone-throwing Greeks clashed with police and tens of thousands of protesters marched on parliament to oppose government efforts to pass new austerity measures. Unions representing half the five-million-strong workforce also launched a nationwide strike, shutting ports, schools and other basic services in the Mediterranean state.

As the situation continues to develop, check back for the newest images from Athens.

Updated 29 June 2011

Demonstrators clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors.

A riot policeman arrest a protester during clashes in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors.

A protester throws a stone to riot police in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors.

Demonstrators clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors.

Protesters clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens, as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors. A count gave the government the 151 votes it needed to push through measures to save 28.4 billion euros ($40 billion) by 2015, and so unlock emergency finance from the EU and the IMF.

A riot policeman throws tear gas toprotesters during violent clashes in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens, as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors. A count gave the government the 151 votes it needed to push through measures to save 28.4 billion euros ($40 billion) by 2015, and so unlock emergency finance from the EU and the IMF.

Riot policemen arrest a demonstrator as they clash with protesters during a 48-hour general strike in Athens on June 29, 2011. Greek lawmakers voted Wednesday for a massive new austerity package demanded by international creditors, amid violent clashes between protesters and police firing tear gas outside the parliament.

Amid tear gas, demonstrators hold a banner reading 'NO' during clashes with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament on June 29, 2011 in Athens as lawmakers moved towards a vote on a massive austerity package demanded by international creditors.

Demonstrators clash with police during a protest against plans for new austerity measures on June 28, 2011 in Athens, Greece. Greece's largest labor unions have called for a 48-hour strike, while the Socialist government is beginning to push through legislation for cost cutting reforms.

An officer is on fire as demonstrators clash with police during a protest against plans for new austerity measures on June 28, 2011 in Athens, Greece. Greece's largest labor unions have called for a 48-hour strike, while the Socialist government is beginning to push through legislation for cost cutting reforms.

As parliament votes on the drastic belt-tightening measures to unlock 12 billion euros (17 billion US dollars) of blocked funds from the EU and IMF, public transport was halted in Athens for the fourth general strike called this year by the country's two biggest unions. The exception of striking workers is the transit system, whose drivers decided not to strike so as to allow Athenians to swell protest numbers.

Protesters run away from riot police during a 24-hour general strike on June 28, 2011 n Athens. Greece is set to come to a halt on Tuesday as protesters launch a 48-hour general strike against the bankruptcy-threatened government which is desperately trying to push through sweeping austerity cuts.

Protesters clash with riot police during a 24-hour general strike on June 28, 2011 in Athens. Greece is set to come to a halt on Tuesday as protesters launch a 48-hour general strike against the bankruptcy-threatened government which is desperately trying to push through sweeping austerity cuts.

Communist-affiliated unionists rally toward the Greek parliament on June 28, 2011. Greece ground to a halt on June 28 as a 48-hour general strike began to bite against the bankruptcy-threatened government which is desperately trying to push through sweeping austerity cuts.

As parliament votes on the drastic belt-tightening measures to unlock 12 billion euros ($17 billion) of blocked funds from the EU and IMF, unions have called on Greeks facing hefty tax hikes to stage mass demonstrations.

Protesters throw stones to riot police during a 24-hour general strike on June 28, 2011 in Athens.

A fake gallows has been set by demonstrators in front of the Greek parliament on June 28, 2011 in Athens during a protest part of the 48-hour general strike against an austerity drive ordered by its bankruptcy-threatened government in exchange for a European bailout.

Protesters are seen demonstrating near to the Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament on June 22, 2011 in Athens, Greece. Demonstrators had camped outside parliament since May 25, 2011 during a peaceful ongoing rally against plans for new austerity measures.

A protester wears national flags on her hand as she protests at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament on June 22, 2011 in Athens, Greece. Demonstrators had camped outside parliament since May 25, 2011 during a peaceful ongoing rally against plans for new austerity measures.

Protesters shout slogans near to the Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament on June 22, 2011 in Athens, Greece. Demonstrators had camped outside parliament since May 25, 2011 during a peaceful ongoing rally against plans for new austerity measures.

Protesters chant near to the Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament on June 21, 2011 in central Athens, Greece.

Demonstrators and riot police clash during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Fire from petrol bombs burn in the street during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Two arrested men lay on the floor during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

A tear gas cloud is pictured on the Syntagma square during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Special forces are pictured during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Greece's largest labor unions have called for a 24-hour strike, while the Socialist government is beginning to push through legislation for cost cutting reforms.

A demonstrator holds a petrol bomb during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Demonstrators run away from tear gas during a protest against plans for new austerity measures June 15, 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Greek riot police officers arrest protesters during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011. Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted early today as a mass general strike got under way.

Greek riot police officers stand guard in front of the Greek parliament next to a banner reading 'Poverty is the biggest brutality' during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011.

Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted early today as a mass general strike got under way.

Greek riot police officers arrest a protester during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011. Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted early today as a mass general strike got under way.

Greek riot police officers run after protesters during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011. Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted.

Greek riot police officers arrest protesters during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011. Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted early today as a mass general strike got under way.

Greek riot police officers confront with protestors in front of the Greek parliament during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011. Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted early today as a mass general strike got under way.

Graffiti of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is seen on the ground in front of parliament during a demonstration in Athens on June 12, 2011. Protesters who have occupied Greece's main square for over two weeks, drawing thousands to their fight against austerity, called for a new mobilisation today ahead of new planned cuts.

Greek riot police officers confront with a protester during a general strike against government austerity plans in Athens on June 15, 2011.

Protesters gather outside the Greek parliament during a general strike against government austerity plans in Athens on June 15, 2011. Offices were closed and public transport on land and sea across Greece was seriously disrupted early today as a mass general strike got under.

Greek riot police officers confront with protestors in front of the Greek parliament during a general strike against government austerity plans, in Athens on June 15, 2011.