Last-ditch bid to form coalition

Greek President Karolos Papoulias has called the leaders of Greece's political parties to meetings in a last-ditch effort to broker a deal for a coalition government.

Mr Papoulias' office announced that the president would meet initially with the heads of the three parties that won the most votes in last Sunday's inconclusive elections - the conservative New Democracy, radical left-wing Syriza and socialist PASOK. He will then meet individually with the leaders of the other four parties that won enough votes for parliamentary seats.

If he fails to broker a coalition agreement, Greece will have to hold new elections next month.

The move came after Greek socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos handed back the mandate to seek partners for a coalition government after three rounds of negotiations proved fruitless.