Police in Belgium fired tear gas as they tried to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators protesting against Prime Minister Bart de Wever's proposed austerity plans.

Minor scuffles broke out between police and protesters in Brussels, as workers staged a general strike against the government, organised by the country's three largest unions.

Crowds, some playing drums and horns and others setting off flares and smoke bombs, crossed the entire city centre between the Gare du Nord and Gare du Midi train stations, Brussels police said.

Image: Marchers carry signs with the number 67 crossed out, referring to the planned new retirement age. Pic: Reuters

Image: Demonstrators dressed as zombies in Brussels. Pic: AP

While organisers said 150,000 people joined the demonstration, the poli

See Full Page