Merkel understands Greeks 'suffering daily'
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told the people of Greece that she understands they are "suffering daily".
Dr Merkel was making her first visit to Athens since the eurozone crisis erupted.
Security has been extremely tight, with snipers stationed on the roofs of buildings in the Greek capital and people banned from gathering on the streets.
After talks with the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras Dr Merkel praised the country's progress in implementing harsh austerity measures, saying the "difficult path" would be worthwhile.
Her five-hour stop was seen by the Greek government as a much-needed boost for the country’s future in Europe – but protesters viewed it as a harbinger of further austerity and hardship.
More than 7,000 police were in Athens, cordoning off parks and other sections of city to keep demonstrators away from the German leader, who will hold talks with conservative prime minister Antonis Samaras.
As a helicopters buzzed overhead, thousands of protesters, chanting “History is written by the disobedient” gathered peacefully in front of Greek parliament, while one group of demonstrators burned a Swastika and threw it onto a police barrier.
