European conservative leaders on Thursday pressed their Greek opposition ally Antonis Samaras to throw his weight behind austerity measures demanded of Athens in exchange for a debt rescue loan.
Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said members of the European People's Party "tried to use every possible argument on our colleague Samaras" during tactical talks ahead of a crunch European Union summit on Greece.
"Naturally it is Mr Samaras himself who will decide his stance," Leterme added.
