Greek PM invites opposition to debt deal talks

ATHENS, Greece — Greece's embattled prime minister says he has invited opposition conservatives to join talks on a major European debt deal.

Prime Minister George Papandreou ignored calls Thursday to resign and hold an early general election.

Papandreou scrapped plans to hold a referendum on the Oct. 27 bailout agreement, but rejected calls from the opposition and within his own party to call an election midway through his four-year-term.

Papandreou insists he never would have put the question of whether Greece stays in the joint euro currency to a popular vote, as the leaders of France and Germany had suggested.

He faces a vote of confidence in parliament Friday.