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Summary Thousands in Belgium marched towards the European Council against austerity measures.
Thousands, mainly from Belgium, marched on Thursday towards the European Council building where European Union leaders were set to meet later in the day.They protested against austerity measures put in place in several European Union countries in the wake of a debt crisis that hit Greece and Ireland and is threatening Portugal and Spain.Some protesters clashed with police on the side of the main protest against austerity measures. An angry group of protesters threw projectiles and enflamed torches at policemen during a tense but short face-off.Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned on Wednesday after parliament rejected his governments latest austerity measures, aimed at avoiding an international bailout. Greece and Ireland have already bailed out, leading to tough austerity measures for the citizens.The European Council meets on Thursday and Friday and had been expected to sign off on a comprehensive solution to the crisis that has crippled the fundraising capability of euro zone countries running high deficits and financing large debt piles.Draft conclusions prepared for the summit showed that the leaders had put off until June giving final approval to how to implement the measures.
