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Greece debt crisis: Tsipras urges 'No' to 'blackmail' Greece debt crisis: Tsipras urges 'No' to 'blackmail'
(35 minutes later)
Greek PM Alexis Tsipras has called on voters to reject "blackmail" when they vote in a bailout referendum on Sunday.Greek PM Alexis Tsipras has called on voters to reject "blackmail" when they vote in a bailout referendum on Sunday.
In a short TV address, he insisted Greece's presence in the EU was not at stake and urged voters to reject the "sirens of scaremongering".In a short TV address, he insisted Greece's presence in the EU was not at stake and urged voters to reject the "sirens of scaremongering".
On Sunday, Greek voters will decide whether they support the terms of further international loans, following months of tough talks with creditors.On Sunday, Greek voters will decide whether they support the terms of further international loans, following months of tough talks with creditors.
EU leaders have warned that a "No" vote could see Greece leave the eurozone.EU leaders have warned that a "No" vote could see Greece leave the eurozone.
Greece's economy is already being squeezed after the country lost access to fresh funds. Banks have been shut and limits imposed on cash withdrawals. Greece's economy is already being squeezed after the country lost access to fresh funds.
There has been no campaigning as such in the run-up to the referendum, the BBC's Chris Morris reports from Athens - just a few chaotic days as supporters and opponents of the governing Syriza party have jostled for position. Banks have been shut and limits imposed on cash withdrawals, with the head of Greece's banking association warning that although the banks have enough funds until Monday, they will be dependent on the European Central Bank thereafter.
Both sides are now racing to reach voters before time runs out, with "Yes" and "No" posters vying for space. Supporters and opponents of the governing Syriza party are now racing to reach voters before time runs out, with "Yes" and "No" posters vying for space and rival rallies planned in Athens on Friday night.
There have also been forceful exchanges of views across the continent, with European politicians starkly denying Greek claims that a "No" vote will strengthen their hand in the bailout negotiations.There have also been forceful exchanges of views across the continent, with European politicians starkly denying Greek claims that a "No" vote will strengthen their hand in the bailout negotiations.
"If the Greeks will vote 'No' the Greek position will be dramatically weakened," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. "Even with a 'Yes' vote we'll face difficult negotiations," he said."If the Greeks will vote 'No' the Greek position will be dramatically weakened," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. "Even with a 'Yes' vote we'll face difficult negotiations," he said.
And Jeroen Dijsselbloem - head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers - dismissed as "completely false" a claim by Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis that a deal would be reached very shortly after the referendum, allowing banks to reopen on Tuesday.
Mr Dijsselbloem said Athens had chosen a "very risky" path regardless of the outcome of the referendum, reports Reuters news agency.
German scepticism - Jenny Hill, BBC News, BerlinGerman scepticism - Jenny Hill, BBC News, Berlin
Ask most individuals here about Greece and they express sympathy for its people but impatience and irritation with its government.Ask most individuals here about Greece and they express sympathy for its people but impatience and irritation with its government.
More than one politician has remarked that Greece will cost Germany more money anyway - either in support if it crashes out of the eurozone or in further help if it stays in.More than one politician has remarked that Greece will cost Germany more money anyway - either in support if it crashes out of the eurozone or in further help if it stays in.
Germans count cost of propping up GreeceGermans count cost of propping up Greece
And Jeroen Dijsselbloem - head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers - dismissed as "completely false" a claim by Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis that a deal would be reached very shortly after the referendum, allowing banks to reopen on Tuesday.
Mr Dijsselbloem said Athens had chosen a "very risky" path regardless of the outcome of the referendum, reports Reuters news agency.
Several European officials have complained in strong terms about Greece's abrupt decision to hold a referendum on the terms of a bailout offer that they say is no longer on the table.Several European officials have complained in strong terms about Greece's abrupt decision to hold a referendum on the terms of a bailout offer that they say is no longer on the table.
Debt 'unsustainable'
In his address on Friday, Mr Tsipras referred to an IMF report published on Thursday which said Greece would need an extra €50bn euros ($55bn; £36bn) over the next three years to stabilise its finances and repeated suggestions that Greece needed debt relief.
Greece's mountain of €323bn debt was "not sustainable", Mr Tsipras said. He said he had called for a 30% "haircut" off the debt and a 20-year grace period for the rest.
"I urge you to say no to ultimatums, blackmail and the campaign of fear," Mr Tsipras said in his address on Friday."I urge you to say no to ultimatums, blackmail and the campaign of fear," Mr Tsipras said in his address on Friday.
"Are we going to say yes or no to the slow death of society?"
But he insisted the referendum result would be accepted.But he insisted the referendum result would be accepted.
"Whatever we choose... Come Monday we are all together.""Whatever we choose... Come Monday we are all together."
Lenders' proposals: Key sticking points
Source: European Commission document, 26 Jun 15 (pdf)
Greek debt jargon explained
Tsipras and his Greek gamble
A poll published in Ethnos newspaper on Friday showed the two sides evenly split, with the "Yes" vote at 44.8% and the "No" vote at 43.4%.A poll published in Ethnos newspaper on Friday showed the two sides evenly split, with the "Yes" vote at 44.8% and the "No" vote at 43.4%.
But the same poll showed 74% in favour of staying in the euro, with just 15% choosing a return to a national currency.But the same poll showed 74% in favour of staying in the euro, with just 15% choosing a return to a national currency.
Despite the campaigning, however, there is still a chance the referendum may be suspended.Despite the campaigning, however, there is still a chance the referendum may be suspended.
Greece's top court, the Council of State, is due to rule on the legality of Sunday's vote and whether it breaches the constitution.Greece's top court, the Council of State, is due to rule on the legality of Sunday's vote and whether it breaches the constitution.
The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm - one of the "troika" of creditors along with the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank - wants Athens to raise taxes and slash welfare spending to meet its debt obligations.
On Tuesday, the previous eurozone bailout expired, depriving Greece of access to billions of euros in funds, and Athens missed a €1.5bn repayment to the IMF.
Are you in Greece? Has the turmoil affected you? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Greece? Has the turmoil affected you? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a telephone number if you are available to talk to a BBC journalist.Please include a telephone number if you are available to talk to a BBC journalist.
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971.Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971.