Samaras begins urgent Greece coalition talks

The leader of the party that narrowly won Greece's election has begun urgent talks to form a coalition, saying he wants to forge a national consensus.

Officials say Antonis Samaras, of the New Democracy party, has already met President Karolos Papoulias to be given a formal mandate.

Samaras said he would seek changes in the terms of a bailout agreement reached with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Under the constitution, Papoulias has given Samaras three days to form a government.

Foreign correspondents say Samaras will push for a lightening of the bailout terms from Brussels, arguing that Greeks have accepted more pain by electing a pro-bailout party and that Europe should now cut Greece some slack.