Leaders seeking urgent relief

Harsh-austerity vote sparks demonstrations

Greece's troubled left-wing government was seeking urgent relief from European lenders on Thursday, after it pushed a harsh austerity package through Parliament, triggering a revolt in the governing party and violent demonstrations in central Athens.

Finance ministers from countries using the euro were planning a conference call to consider rescue financing for Greece, while the European Central Bank will mull a request from Athens to increase emergency assistance to troubled Greek banks that have been closed since June 29.