Athens police fire tear gas at violent protesters

ATHENS, Mar 8 (Reuters) Greek youths protesting against university reforms hurled petrol bombs and stones today at Athens riot police, who retaliated by firing tear gas as parliament voted in the new education bill.

Eyewitnesses said scores of youths, among 8,000 students and teachers marching to protest against the bill which regulates university funding and eases police access to campuses, attacked police guarding the parliament building with rocks and bottles.

Protesters also set fire to a bank and a presidential guard post. The clashes, just metres (yards) from parliament, blocked the centre of Athens and forced tourists to take shelter indoors.

REUTERS SP RAI2116