Thousands of Greeks protest compromise in Macedonia name dispute

More than 100,000 protesters from across Greece have converged on Athens' main square to protest a potential Greek compromise in a dispute with neighbouring Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic's official name. Chanting 'Hands off Macedonia!' and 'Macedonia belongs to Greece!' the protesters converged on Syntagma Square in front of parliament, many waving flags bearing the Star of Vergina, the emblem of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia. The name dispute broke out after Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. The country is recognised by international institutions as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, even though about 130 countries refer to it simply as Macedonia. Many Greeks refer to it by the name of its capital, Skopje. AP

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