Greek unions on Friday launched a new 48-hour nationwide general strike and a wave of protests in front of the parliament following a deal on further austerity measures.

Thousands of citizens who started encircling the parliament building in central Athens on Friday shouted loud "we can't stand more burdens."

Members of Left parties and the two main unions of private and public sector workers GSEE and ADEDY joined the rally raising banners with slogans such as "we resist."

The interim coalition government of Lucas Papademos reached in-principle a deal on additional salaries and pensions cuts and further civil servants layoffs on Thursday.

The deal is vital in securing a second aid package by international creditors for the country to repay a bond maturing on March 20.

Protesters will hold similar rallies on Saturday and on Sunday afternoon, when deputies will vote on the new round of measures to ratify the deal.

The protests have paralyzed public services. Hospitals were running on emergency staff, while schools, courts and archaeological sites were closed. Public transport services were also disrupted, as ferries remain docked at ports across the country.