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6 Police Injured In Fight With Steel Workers

Six Belgian police officers have been injured in scuffles with some 2,000 steel workers protesting plans to lay off 1,300 workers at several plants in Liege. Workers seeking to get close to the regional government offices in southern Namur threw bricks at police. Authorities responded with tear gas and water cannon.

BRUSSELS (AP) -- Six Belgian police officers have been injured in scuffles with some 2,000 steel workers protesting plans to lay off 1,300 workers at several plants in Liege.

Workers seeking to get close to the regional government offices in southern Namur threw bricks at police. Authorities responded with tear gas and water cannon.

Police said two policemen had to be hospitalized with the others treated locally, all for minor injuries. It was unclear how many protesters were injured.

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel company, blamed slumping demand and structural overcapacity in Europe for last week's decision to close the plants.

It says it will continue to operate five steel production lines, which employ 800 people. The protesters want the regional government to intervene.

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