Greece's Parliament has approved a key law needed to implement a five-year austerity package that was approved by lawmakers a day earlier.

Lawmakers voted 155-136 in favor of the measure, with five voting "present" in the 300-seat house.

The package had been demanded by international lenders - and its passage should clear the way for an emergency loan to Athens.

But Greece has seen weeks of sometimes violent public protests against the austerity plan, which follows a series of cuts agreed to last year.