Greece erupts with riots as protestors face off with police over budget cuts

Riot police clashed with rock-hurling youths in Greece Tuesday amid fury over painful austerity measures in the debt-racked country.

Tear-gas swirled as hooded protesters tore up paving stones and set fires near the Greek finance ministry.

The violence comes at the start of a two-day strike called by unions over the $40 billion cost-cutting package they say disproportionately hits the poor.

The measures need to pass two parliamentary votes Wednesday and Thursday if the country is to receive bailout funds from the European Union and the Inteational Monetary Fund.

Unemployment has soared to 16% as Greece teeters on the edge of a serious debt default that threatens to drag down European banks and stagger the global economy.

For the most part, the strikes were peaceful, but the anger ran deep.

\"The situation that the workers are undergoing is tragic and we are near poverty levels,\" said protester Spyros Linardopoulos. \"The govement has declared war and to this war we will answer back with war.\"

The outcome of the vote on required austerity measures remains unclear. Several political factions have expressed reservations over what they call a flawed package.

Prime Minister George Papandreou has reshuffled his cabinet to solidify his party's support and has urged lawmakers to fulfill a \"patriotic duty,\" by voting for the measures.