Scuffles in Athens as workers strike

At least 16,000 anti-austerity protesters have converged in central Athens, chanting slogans, banging drums and blowing whistles in a display of opposition to the Greek government's latest austerity measures.

The vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful, but a few dozen protesters clashed with riot police with some youth hurling paving slabs of rock at police in full riot gear.

Police dispersed the crowds by firing tear gas and dragging and chasing protesters.

Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports from the Greek capital, Athens.