Greek protesters to surround parliament

GREEK protesters have vowed to surround parliament today to prevent deputies from debating new austerity measures, as unions said they would bring the country to a halt in a national strike.

Pressure is growing on prime minister George Papandreou, who is trying to muster support for a five-year plan that international lenders say is crucial for them to approve a second aid deal for Athens, enabling Greece to avoid a default.

Papandreou’s PASOK party, which holds 156 seats in the 300-seat parliament, will present the plan of tax hikes and spending cuts for discussion today and is expected to pass it later this month.