Demonstrators protest deposits haircut outside gov't HQ in Cyprus

Many people gathered outside the Cypriot government headquarters on Saturday night to protest a Eurogroup decision to force an unprecedented loss on bank depositors as part of a bailout program for the eastern Mediterranean island.Police said about 200 people gathered in front of the entrance to the hilltop presidential palace in Nicosia, chanting slogans against President Nicos Anastasiades as he was briefing party leaders on the outcome of a nightlong Eurogroup meeting in Brussels on Friday.Some of them demanded the resignation of Anastasiades, in power for only 16 days and also the removal of his Nobel laureate economic advisor professor Christoforos Pissarides.At one point, demonstrators shortly prevented the car of government spokesman Christos Stylianides from entering the presidential palace compound.The demonstrators, calling themselves "Citizens against the haircut" banged on his car but police intervened and pushed them away.They dispersed after several hours, but promised to be again in the streets and outside parliament on Sunday when Anastasiades will address a special session to brief deputies on the proceedings at the Eurogroup and later when a vote will be taken on haircut legislation.In his first remarks after the dramatic Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, Anastasiades said he was confronted with decisions which had already been taken beforehand.He said the dilemma in front of Cyprus is either to accept a levy on bank deposits or face the prospect of the two largest banks collapsing on Tuesday morning after the European Central Bank said it will stop emergency liquidity support.The Eurogroup demanded a levy of 9.9 percent on deposits above 100,000 euros and of 6.75 percent on lesser deposits.Main opposition AKEL party leader Antros Kyprianou said after the president's briefing that the parties inquired whether there could be some time for more maneuvering after Tuesday but the answer was negative."It seems that there is a situation of either takes it as it is or lose it all," Kyprianou said.After briefing politicians Anastasiades continues his consultations with a meeting with bankers.