Greeks welcome Angela Merkel's Athens visit

There is tight security in Athens ahead of a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her first since the eurozone crisis erupted nearly three years ago.

Some 7,000 police officers are on duty, public gatherings are banned in certain areas of the city and protesters have been warned to "protect the peace".

However, Greeks on the streets of Athens on Tuesday said they welcomed Mrs Merkel's visit, with some seeing it as an opportunity for her to see their suffering.