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While politicians scrambled to avert a financial meltdown after Cyprus's parliament rejected a key measure of a proposed IMF bailout, Cypriots lined up to withdraw their cash from the nation's beleaguered banks.

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People queue up at an ATM outside a branch of Laiki Bank in Nicosia March 21, 2013. Cypriot politicians searched desperately on Thursday for a “Plan B” to find billions of euros to clinch a European Union bailout and avert a financial meltdown after parliament rejected a bank deposit levy.ANDREAS MANOLIS/Reuters

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People queue up at an ATM in Nicosia.YANNIS BEHRAKIS/Reuters

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A protester tries to pass through a police cordon during a protest by employees of Cyprus Popular Bank outside the parliament in Nicosia.ANDREAS MANOLIS/Reuters

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A protester cries during a rally by employees of Cyprus Popular Bank outside the parliament in Nicosia. The Cypriot central bank denied reports and frantic rumours on Thursday that stricken Cyprus Popular Bank, the island’s second-largest lender, is to be closed down.ANDREAS MANOLIS/Reuters

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People queue up at an ATM in Nicosia.YANNIS BEHRAKIS/Reuters

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A protester shouts slogans during a rally by employees of Cyprus Popular Bank outside the parliament in Nicosia.YANNIS BEHRAKIS/Reuters

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A protester yells at policemen during a protest by bank employees.ANDREAS MANOLIS/Reuters

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People wait to use the ATM of a closed branch of Laiki Bank in the southern port city of Limassol, March 21, 2013. The European Central Bank says it will keep emergency aid for Cyprus’s troubled banks in place at least until Monday.Pavlos Vrionides/The Associated Press

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People use the ATM machine of a closed branch of Laiki Bank in Nicosia.Petros Karadjias/The Associated Press

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People queue up to make a transaction at an ATM in Nicosia. Euro zone finance officials acknowledged being “in a mess” over Cyprus during a conference call on Wednesday.YORGOS KARAHALIS/Reuters

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People queue up at an ATM in Nicosia.YANNIS BEHRAKIS/Reuters

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