Greek nationalist group United Macedonians on Sunday threw a "pork barbecue protest" close to a camp housing thousands of mostly Muslim refugees and migrants.

Members of the right-wing group could be seen crowding around several barbecues near Diavata refugee camp and grilling sausages, chops and other pork products which are forbidden under Muslim dietary laws.

They had earlier called on people to bring "plenty of alcohol" to the event.

The group claimed the protest was necessary because the Greek way of life was under attack from Muslim immigrants.

The protest sparked intense debate in Greece’s Parliament on Tuesday with politicians clashing over how to respond.

The protest comes amid rising tensions over immigration in Greece as it faces a surge of arrivals through Turkey.

About 55,000 people arrived between the start of 2019 and the end of October, more than the 50,000 who arrived in all of 2018, according to the UN.

Greece: Greek nationalist group "United Macedonians" and dozens of people throw a pork barbecue protest near refugee camp Anagnostopoulou of Diavata on Sunday noon. The anti-immigration barbecue protest is about the so called attacking the Greek way of life threaten by muslim immigrants and the Islam threat all over Europe. Anagnostopoulou Diavata refugee camp is overcrowded and one of the largest in north Greece with thousands of refugees and immigrants living inside, and everyday newcomers group arrivals from Evros Greek-Turkish border.