Concern Remains Over Greek Debt Crisis

Greece's conservative opposition leader has insisted on his demand for immediate elections, snubbing a government offer to form a power-sharing coalition and extending a political deadlock in the debt-shackled country.

Center-right New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras made the remarks Saturday shortly after the Socialist government called on him to join a four-month coalition aimed at securing a mammoth new European debt deal.

Samaras described Prime Minister George Papandreou as "dangerous for the country" but did not say whether he would attend any negotiations with the government.

Merkel: Decade Needed To Overcome Debt Crisis

Germany's leader says at least a decade is needed for Europe to pull itself out of the debt crisis, but sees "no reason to be pessimistic" if everyone "applies themselves and does their homework."

Chancellor Angela Merkel devoted her regular, weekly podcast Saturday to reassuring Germans that despite a week of rattled markets and drama in Athens, Europe's debt crisis can be managed with time and effort.

Merkel says "this debt crisis will not simply go away," but it will "certainly be a decade before we are in a better position." She insisted that despite the turmoil, she saw "no reason to be pessimistic," insisted that if Europeans band together, "everyone makes and effort and does their homework" they will pull through.