Greek MPs narrowly passed an omnibus reform Bill early yesterday containing the latest measures forced on the country by its international creditors.

The government had been determined to pass the Bill before a meeting of European Union finance ministers and central bankers in Athens today and tomorrow.

It is desperate for the meeting to hand over more bailout cash, but that will still need the agreement of all 18 eurozone parliaments.

The 300-member Greek parliament passed the Bill in two votes — the first by 152-135 and the second by 151-136.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras immediately expelled former health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis from the governing coalition for voting against in the first poll.

However, so-called Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos did not take similar action to expel two of his MPs — former prime minister George Papandreou and former parliament speaker Apostolos

Kaklamanis — who had refused to support the coalition government in the second vote.

The vote followed a tumultuous two-day debate during which opposition coalition Syriza attacked the government for trying to ram through the Bill.

Syriza tried unsuccessfully to delay the vote with a motion of no confidence against Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, and its MPs walked out in protest but returned toward the end of the debate.

Thousands of people had gathered outside parliament on Sunday afternoon in protest against the Bill and were addressed by Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras.