Exports of Greek goods to the countries of North Africa in the first half of 2011 increased despite the serious political turmoil there.

"People do not have to queue up because Athens will not run dry of petrol," said the President of the union of petrol stations owners, Michalis Kiuosis, and three hours later, unionists stopped the protests.

PASOK and New Democracy representatives exchanged offences and threats of beating were heard in the hall.

The Troika has given the Greek government 40 days to vote on the draft budget for 2012 on first reading, to enact and implement the labour reserve, the unified payroll table and all agreed terms and conditions before payment of the eight billion euros, which had to be in the treasury still in September.

The new findings of the supervisory Troika comprising the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission are that the Greek budget deficit would be at least 9.1% of GDP. Two months and a half remain and this could prove incorrect again.