Greek prime minister reshuffles Cabinet

ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis staged a major reshuffling of his Cabinet Wednesday in the wake of continuing youth protests.

Karamanlis replaced nine of 16 ministers in the moves, including Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, who is frequently credited with maintaining Greece's growth in a slumping global economy, CNN reported.

But the Alogoskoufis reforms were blasted by many as being made at the expense of Greece's students and other low-income citizens, and were cited as a key factor in triggering the weeks of violent protest in Athens and other Greek cities, the broadcaster said.

Karamanlis announced that the country's interior minister would stay in place, despite criticism of his handling of the police force during the monthlong riots, which began Dec. 6 with the police shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Athens.