Greek radical left party refuses to attend talks

ATHENS, Greece – Greek state television says radical left Syriza party leader Alexis Tsipras has refused to attend a meeting of party leaders to be convened Monday by the country's president to seek a solution to the deadlock in forming a coalition government.

President Karolos Papoulias called the meeting for Monday evening after last-ditch efforts to find a solution foundered Sunday.

The meeting was to be between the heads of the parties that came in the top three spots in last week's inconclusive elections: the conservative New Democracy, radical left-wing Syriza and socialist PASOK, plus the head of the small Democratic Left party which is in a king-maker position.

If no solution can be found, Greece will have to hold new elections next month, prolonging the political uncertainty and bringing the country's continued euro membership into doubt.