Rice urges Cyprus to support Turkey’s EU bid

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday urged Cyprus to support Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union during a visit to Athens marked by violent protests.

As Ms Rice met her Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyannis and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, riot police hurled tear gas at demonstrators trying to march to the US embassy.

Police said nine protesters were arrested in the clashes, which wrecked at least 10 central Athens shops. No injuries were reported.