Thousands take part in street protest over economic meltdown in Iceland

REYKJAVIK - THOUSANDS of Icelanders demonstrated in Reykjavik on Saturday demanding the resignation of prime minister Geir Haarde…

REYKJAVIK- THOUSANDS of Icelanders demonstrated in Reykjavik on Saturday demanding the resignation of prime minister Geir Haarde and central bank governor David Oddsson for failing to stop a financial meltdown in the country in which its three biggest banks collapsed.

A separate group of 200-300 people gathered in front of the city's main police station demanding the release of a young protester being held there.

Police in riot gear used pepper spray to drive back an attempt to free the protester, during which several windows at the police station were shattered.

The protester was later released after a fine he had been sentenced to pay was paid. - (Reuters)