Athens, February 6 (RHC)-- Thousands of Greek people have held a demonstration outside the parliament in the capital, Athens, to voice support for efforts by the new anti-austerity government. Chanting slogans in support of the administration of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the demonstrators rallied peacefully at Athens' central Syntagma Square on Thursday.

One activist said that the demonstrators "support the government, which is fighting with dignity and strength for the rights and the interests of the Greek people and the youth to confront the humanitarian catastrophe that [has been caused by] the policies of the European Union and the government of [former Prime Minister Antonis] Samaras and [former Foreign Minister Evangelos] Venizelos."

Tsipras' Syriza party, which won last month's general elections, has pledged to write off half the country's debt. They also deplored a decision by the European Central Bank (ECB) to cut off a vital source of funds for Greek banks.

Athens says the move is aimed at putting pressure on the newly-elected anti-austerity government to swiftly conclude a compromise debt deal ahead of a Eurogroup meeting next week. The new Greek government played down the impact of the decision on Greece's banking system, insisting it would stick to its anti-austerity agenda.