Greece's parliament votes to settles 27-year name disputebetween Macedonia and Greece Friday Jan 25,2019

Greek parliament approves Macedonia's new name

Greece's parliament has voted narrowly to back a historic agreement ending a 27-year dispute over its northern neighbour's name.

Parliament in Athens agreed by 153 votes to 146 to approve the name Republic of North Macedonia, despite widespread opposition from the public.

"North Macedonia was born today," said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Greece has rejected Macedonia's name since its independence in 1991, as there is a Greek region of that name.

Failure to find an appropriate name meant that Greece frustrated Macedonia's drive to join both Nato and the European Union.

Opposition to the deal is strongest in the northern Greek region of Macedonia, and polls suggest more than 60% of Greeks dislike it.

Thousands of people protested outside parliament on Thursday night, but far smaller numbers braved the torrential rain on Friday as the vote took place