Greek strike turns violent as protesters clash with police

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Members of the General Confederation of Greek Workers demonstrate in Thessaloniki on September 26, 2012, as Greece faces a paralysing 24-hour nationwide general strike to protest the latest round of sweeping spending cuts planned by the Greek government to unlock vital EU-IMF loans.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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People walk by a closed pharmacy with a sticker on its window that says "Closed due to a strike" on September 26, 2012, as Greece faces a paralysing 24-hour nationwide general strike to protest the latest spending cuts planned by the Greek government to unlock vital EU-IMF funds.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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A police officer throws a stone toward protesters in Athens on September 26, 2012 during a 24-hour nationwide general strike.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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Thousands of protesters march toward the Greek parliament in Athens on September 26, 2012 during a 24-hour general strike to protest the latest austerity measures planned by the country's government.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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Police try to disperse protesters during a demonstration in Athens on September 26, 2012.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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Protesters flee after riot police fired teargas to disperse a demonstration in Athens on September 26, 2012.
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A fire bomb explodes behind riot police during clashes with demonstrators in Athens on September 26, 2012.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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Demonstrators clash with riot police in Athens on September 26, 2012 during a 24-hour nationwide general strike to protest the latest round of spending cuts planned by the Greek government.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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Demonstrators clash with riot police in Athens on September 26, 2012.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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Protesters light molotov cocktails on Syntagma square during a 24-hour general strike in Athens on September 26, 2012.
- [Milos Bicanski/Getty Images]
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Youths face riot police during a violent protest in Athens on September 26, 2012 marking a 24-hour nationwide general strike.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]
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A fire bomb explodes behind a riot police officer in Athens on September 26, 2012 during violent clashes with demonstrators.
- [/AFP/Getty Images]

Thousands of protesters clashed with riot police in Greece today during a day-long nationwide general strike to protest the latest round of tough austerity measures planned by the country's government to unlock much-needed EU-IMF funding.

In Athens, youths threw Molotov cocktails at riot police who responded with tear gas.

The trade union-led action against the planned spending cuts of more than 11.5 billion euros ($15 billion) brought public transport and other services to a standstill.

Without the savings, Greece will not be eligible for the bailout funds from the so-called troika of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund and could face bankruptcy within weeks.