The Greek parliament approved on Monday a deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure a second EU/IMF bailout and avoid national bankruptcy, as buildings burned across central Athens and violence spread around the country.
         
Prime Minister Lucas Papademos denounced the worst breakdown of order since 2008 when violence gripped Greece for weeks after police shot a 15-year-old schoolboy.
         
"I want to express my sadness for the disturbances taking place outside this chamber, which unfortunately blacken the completely legal and democratic act of protesting. Vandalism, violence and destruction have no place in a democracy and will not be tolerated. I would like to appeal to all of you and all of the citizens for calm," he told parliament as it prepared to vote on the new 130 billion euro bailout to save Greece from a chaotic bankruptcy.
         
Papademos told lawmakers shortly before they voted that they would be gravely mistaken if they rejected the package that demands deep pay, pension and job cuts, as this would     threaten Greece's place in the European mainstream.
         
"From you and your vote it will depend if Greece will remain in the euro or if it will be driven to an unruly default. By voting for this economic program and opening the road for the loan agreement  you will set the foundations for the reform and recovery of the economy.

This is the best way to serve the interests of the people," he said.
         
The air in Syntagma Square outside parliament was thick with tear gas as riot police fought running battles with youths who smashed marble balustrades and hurled stones and petrol bombs. Streets were strewn with rocks and full of clouds of stinging gas, while buildings were set alight.