Major Greek banks 'could be forced to merge'

Some of Greece's biggest banks may have to shut and merge with their rivals, it has been claimed.

A European official told the Reuters news agency that Greece's four big banks - National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Piraeus and Alpha Bank - could be reduced to just two.

The source said the move could be part of a restructuring of the banking sector following any new bailout.

European leaders are meeting on Sunday in a bid to strike a financial aid deal with Greece.

Greek banks will remain closed for the rest of the week, state television said on Wednesday.

A €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals will also remain in force.

The Greek government ordered banks to shut on June 29 after the collapse of negotiations on an international financial aid deal.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has told the EU Parliament that very early retirement schemes should be ended.

Greece promised to put in place pension and tax reforms as early as next week as the first step to securing a three-year rescue loan to cover debt obligations.

According to a letter requesting the funding from European partners Greece also pledges to honour its financial obligations and detail by Thursday reforms proposals for evaluation by the creditors.

The letter welcomed an "opportunity to explore potential measures" to make its debt sustainable, as part of broader discussions to be held.

A formal request for a bailout loan with the euro zone's special support fund has been lodged by Greece, a spokesman for the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) confirmed

He said: "The ESM has received the Greek request."

The Eurogroup of finance ministers is set to look at the application, which is formally addressed to its chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

The president of the European Council has warned Greece that the " 'final deadline ends this week' for a deal to resolved the country's debt crisis

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has asked for "light at the end of the tunnel" after years of austerity in any deal to tackle the country's debt crisis.

Mr Tsipras told the European Parliament that plans presented to the Eurogroup would look to restructure Greece's debts, but alongside reforms taking on wealthy vested interests in the country, who had failed to bear their share of the burden.

The Greek PM also outlined an "agenda for growth" to revitalise its ailing economy.

The Greece Euro debt crisis is set to end on Sunday, ITV News Europe editor reports.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has told the EU Parliament that any agreement with their neigbours must acknowledge a demand for signs that the country is exiting its debt crisis.

He said that his nation's public debt must be made sustainable, with reforms that share burdens, create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship.

Tsipras told the EU Parliament that the No vote in Sunday's referendum meant he had a mandate for a socially just and economically sustainable solution to the debt crisis.

European Council President Donald Tusk has told the EU Parliament that there are only four days remaining to find an agreement or face the possibility that Greece could go bankrupt if a deal fails.

European Council President Donald Tusk has warned Greece that this week's deadline for a reform-for-loans deal is "final", after the country's Prime Minister was told to come up with new proposals by Sunday.

Speaking after today's summit of European leaders, Tusk said: "The stark reality is that we have only five days left... Until now I have avoided talking about deadlines, but tonight I have to say loud and clear that the final deadline ends this week."

Tsipras told reporters talks at the summit "took place in a positive climate" and said the process for a new Greek offer would be "extremely fast".