Three dead as Greeks battle police over austerity plan

Skepticism on loan deal pushes euro and stock markets down

ATHENS - Greek protesters clashed with police on Wednesday as tens of thousands of strikers marched against austerity plans in a crucial test of the government's resolve in enacting deep budget cuts in return for EU/IMF aid.

Hundreds of demonstrators pelted police with rocks, chunks of marble and bottles, lit garbage cans on fire and tried repeatedly to storm parliament. But they were repelled by riot police hurling repeated rounds of tear gas that clouded blocks of central Athens.