(VOVworld) - A mass demonstration of some 100,000 workers in the Belgian capital this week ended in clashes between protesters and police.

Protest turns violent in Brussels (Photo: Associated Press)

The march was the first in a series of protests against Belgium’s new austerity measures. Belgian riot police fired tear gas and water cannons during clashes with demonstrators on Thursday, at the first of a series of anti-austerity demonstrations and strikes planned for the coming weeks. More than 100,000 people took to the streets of Brussels to protest Prime Minister Charles Michels’ measures to deal with Belgium’s stagnant economy and large national debt. Michel condemned the violence and said all parties should respect one another and resolve the problem through dialogues.