Riots spread in third day of violence

Greek security forces used teargas against protesters throwing petrol bombs and setting fire to buildings and vehicles on the streets of Athens during a third day and night of violence after the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy by police.

The rioters made sporadic attacks on police stations across the Greek capital, stoned the Interior Ministry and clashed with riot police outside parliament, hurling flares and rocks.

A large Christmas tree in Syntagma Square in the centre of the city was set on fire, and the windows of hotels, banks and department stores were smashed amid reports of looting.

Last night, the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Karamanlis, was forced to appear on television to appeal for calm as scattered confrontations between police and protesters broke out around the country.

In Berlin 15 young people occupied the Greek consulate, but German police said there was no violence. Youths also protested at the Greek embassies in London and Nicosia.

Some of the worst riots Greece has seen in years began within hours of the fatal shooting of Alexandros Grigoropoulos on Saturday night in the central Athens district of Exarchia. Two police officers have been arrested and one has been charged with the teenager's murder. ap