One and a half hour it seems was all that was needed for Deputy Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas to deny his own statements that the government is seeking 400 million euros in order to pay April salaries and pensions.

He found himself totally by accident near the wreck at the crucial moment and managed to save 20 immigrants, himself.

A Euro Working Group teleconference will take place at 15.00 (Athens time) to assess the progress of the negotiations between Greece and the partners on a Brussels Group's level.

Finance ministry's officials said that the negotiations last several hours and continue for a fifth day.

US Ambassador David Pearce had a scheduled meeting this morning with the Minister of State, Nikos Pappas.