Greek protesters surround parliament

Greek riot police officers confront with protestors

in front of the Greek parliament during a general strike agains

 government austerity plans, in Athens Wednesday.

Greek protesters surround parliament 

          Thousands of Greek protesters surrounded the parliament building on Wednesday as a general strike paralysed the country and the prime minister held emergency talks on a controversial reform package.

       Riot police and barricades blocked approaches to parliament as demonstrators mustered in the capital, summoned by a popular protest group that has occupied central Syntagma Square for weeks after a similar mobilisation in Spain.

         Police said 20,000 people had responded to the call but media estimates raised the turnout to 40,000.

             Scuffles broke out at various barricade points and police made sporadic use of tear gas to push protesters away.
 
             Prime Minister George Papandreou began an emergency meeting with the Greek head of state, President Carolos Papoulias, after a government deputy defected on Tuesday, reducing the government's majority to five seats.

            "A national effort is demanded, we face critical decisions," Papandreou said ahead of the meeting in televised statements.

        "We will take the necessary decisions to take the country out of the crisis...(but) everyone must accept their responsibilities," the PM said.