Violence erupts after Berlusconi survives confidence votes

By the CNN Wire Staff

Police clash with angry protestors in Rome in the wake of lawmakers' confidence votes, narrowly in favor of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Protesters are throwing rocks and bottles
The crowd is clashing with police

Rome (CNN) -- Angry protesters threw rocks and bottles and police lobbed tear gas canisters Tuesday in Rome's streets in the wake of lawmakers' confidence votes, narrowly in favor of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

A crowd of several hundred protesters were smashing motorcycles and police vehicles as they erupted in violence following the votes. Small fires were burning in various spots, and loud explosions could be heard from firecrackers or flash-bang devices.

Police charging down a street were pushing back protesters "slowly but surely," said CNN's Dan Rivers, but he noted the protesters were "clearly very angry."

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