
Greece's parliament has passed legislation on a second batch of reforms needed to help unlock a huge international bailout for the country's stricken economy.

The bill, which includes civil justice reforms, a bank deposit protection scheme and measures to shore up the liquidity of the banks, was backed by more than 200 MPs - a clear majority - as voting continued in the 300-seat parliament.

Last night protesters in Greece lobbed petrol bombs and clashed with security forces ahead of the crucial vote.

Now it has been passed it could help unlock the country's desperately needed bailout funds.

Thousands of anti-austerity campaigners, the majority of which were from the Communist-affiliated PAME union, gathered outside the parliament in fiery scenes which echoed the chaos that broke out in the capital last week.

The reforms being voted on were the key conditions for opening talks on a bailout worth up to 86 billion euros ($93 billion) over the next three years.

Security forces try to avoid a petrol bomb thrown by anti-austerity protesters during a rally outside the country's parliament in Athens

The demonstrations, which were peaceful earlier in the day, turned to mayhem ahead of last night's crucial vote in the Greek parliament

About 6,000 protesters were estimated to have taken to the streets this evening in anger at the austerity measures imposed on the country

Two riot policemen avoid a burning wall, set on fire by a protester's petrol bomb outside parliament last night

The majority of the protesters to take to the streets of Athens were from the Communist-affiliated PAME trade union

Demonstrators form a line and shout slogans as the country's lawmakers debate creditor-imposed reforms inside parliament nearby

Last night's vote also posed a fresh challenge to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' authority.

He suffered a major rebellion by MPs in his leftist party Syriza last week during the first vote on tough reforms demanded by Athens' international creditors.

Forced to rely on opposition MPs to pass the law, sweeping changes to debt-crippled Greece's taxes, pensions and labour rules were approved.

The bill - less controversial than the first - covers civil justice reforms, a bank deposit protection scheme, and measures to shore up the liquidity of the banks.

However, analysts say the debate will show whether the premier can avoid another deep split within his own party and head off the risk of early elections after only six months in power.

Tsipras urged lawmakers in the early hours of this morning to vote through the reforms, saying the country must confront 'new realities'.

In a passionate speech to parliament ahead of the vote, he said he was determined to keep fighting for Greece's best interests, adding he would not 'voluntarily abandon' the job.

'The left's presence in government is a bastion for the defence of the interests of the people,' he said. 'We will not be cowards. We will fight the battles we face with determination.'

Katerina and George Sergidou Kokkinavis, two Syriza members in their thirties taking part in the protest, said they attended the protest because 'the government is no longer listening to the people'.

A demonstrator outside the Greek parliament holds a banner in protest at the austerity measures being imposed on the country

Greek MPs must back the proposed reforms in parliament for talks to go ahead on receiving a new 86 billion euro bailout

Rows of protesters link arms and yell slogans during a heated protest - the second to occur outside parliament within a week

Earlier in the day members of the communist-affiliated trade union PAME carried flags and chanted slogans during the march

Thousands took to the streets to claim the country had been sold out by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who ignored the result of a referendum rejecting austerity measures

Tsipras was expected to win last night's vote comfortably after opposition parties said they would back it, although the austerity measures remain deeply unpopular

Syriza came to power on an anti-austerity ticket, but the government has gone on to ignore a referendum result in which Greeks came out against further cuts, and agreed to a deal that involves more painful reforms, hoping it will prevent the country from crashing out of the eurozone.

The banks have seen some 40 billion euros withdrawn since December by customers anxious over the safety of their cash - seriously undermining the banks' ability to function normally.

Bloomberg News reported that the European Central Bank yesterday boosted its cash lifeline for Greek banks - the programme known as Emergency Liquidity Assistance - by 900 million euros, in a move that had been announced last week.

The ELA is the only source of funding for banks until the bailout package can take effect - and, by extension, the sole financial lifeline preventing the Greek economy from imploding.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos said he would back the legislation, despite having reservations over its changes to the justice system.

'The country is facing an urgent situation,' he said. 'I do not want to contribute to an eventual default.'

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos attends an emergency parliament session at the Greek parliament in Athens ahead of last night's vote