Greece seeks last-minute debt deal

Greece has asked for a fresh two-year rescue deal with the European Union in a final roll of the dice just hours before its current bailout expires and it misses a critical IMF payment.

Political scenarios for Greece as it heads to referendum (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) Source: (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

The eleventh-hour appeal came as 20,000 pro-bailout supporters took to the streets of Athens, where banks have been shut by the spiralling debt crisis, with people queueing for cash.

Athens is about to enter uncharted waters without international aid for the first time in five years, sparking fears of a chaotic eurozone exit which could have untold repercussions for global markets and the EU.