Greek islanders stage new protests over migrant camps

More than 1,000 people yesterday rallied on the Greek island of Lesbos to protest against new migrant camps, a day after violent clashes left more than 60 injured, mostly police officers.

Lesbos businesses and unions called for a general strike on the island to continue, with shops shuttered for the second day in a row.

"No camps on the islands, either open or closed," the demonstrators chanted as they marched in the port town of Mytilene.

On the neighbouring island of Chios, hundreds of protesters took part in a similar rally.

The demonstrations were more peaceful than the previous day when locals had clashed violently with police over the construction of new migrant camps on the islands of Lesbos and Chios.

On Wednesday, hundreds of angry islanders threw stones at police who responded with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets.

The Greek government said that hundreds of anti-riot police who had deployed to the islands to ensure the construction work could continue had now left.

"The first phase of digging is complete, (so) the police forces can now return," said government spokesman Stelios Petsas.

"The overwhelming majority of riot police left the islands on Thursday morning," police spokesman Thodoros Chronopoulos told AFP.

"Forty-three officers were injured slightly on Lesbos on Wednesday... but they are not in any danger," the spokesman said. Three had foot injuries from rifles fired by local residents, he said.