As Greek crisis continues, the prime minister offers to step down

Protesters faced police at demonstrations in Athens

Clashes broke out in the Greek capital as thousands protested newly proposed tax hikes and spending cuts. Greece is straining under a mountain of debt, with unemployment at 16 percent and a three-year-long recession.

Clashes between police and protesters were reported in the Greek capital, Athens, on Wednesday as thousands gathered for nationwide strikes against government reforms, tax hikes and spending cuts.

Police fired teargas to break up the mass demonstration in front of parliament, where lawmakers were debating the cost-cutting proposals.

Protestors had said they would form a human ring around the parliament building, but some 1,500 police earlier descended on the building, blocking access using water cannon and barricades.

Transport and public services were crippled by the nationwide walk outs, as were been banks, government offices and schools. Hospitals were said to be operating with skeleton staff.

Greek journalists also walked off the job for 24 hours causing a domestic media blackout. Flights, however, were believed to be running according to schedule after the air traffic controllers' union called off their participation in the strike.

Read the rest on: Deutsche Welle