Greeks agree coalition government without Papandreou

NDON. November 7. KAZINFORM Greek leaders at crisis talks in Athens have agreed to form a new national unity government, the president's office says

Beleaguered Prime Minister George Papandreou has agreed to stand down and his successor will be chosen during talks on Monday, a statement said, BBC News said.

The coalition is to lead the country until elections, which could be held on 19 February, the finance ministry said.

The announcement followed a week of turmoil over Greece's debt crisis.

Once the new leader is named, Mr Papoulias will invite parties to join the new government, according to the statement from the president's office.

The plan envisages elections once the government approves an EU bailout package.

Talks between Mr Papandreou and main opposition leader Antonis Samaras were hosted by President Karolos Papoulias on Sunday evening.

Mr Papandreou had been trying to build a national unity government to replace his Pasok party administration, but Mr Samaras, of the New Democracy party, had been refusing to negotiate unless his rival resigned first.

For full version go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15614883