Greek Pm Urges Parliament To Approve New Reforms

Athens (AFP) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged parliament early Saturday to approve a reform package offered to the country's creditors, to keep the nation 'alive' and in the European Union.His call for a vote of "national responsibility" came as an EU source in Brussels said the country's latest debt proposals were "positive" enough to form the basis of a massive new bailout worth 74 billion euros ($82 billion).Tsipras spoke as parliament prepared to vote on his controversial package of reforms, which have sparked criticism from hardline members of his radical left ruling party Syriza.Most opposition parties however have expressed willingness to back them."It is a choice of high national responsibility, we have a national duty to keep our people alive...we will succeed not only to stay in Europe but to live as equal peers with dignity and pride," Tsipras said.His government is asking Greece's international creditors for a three-year funding plan including debt relief and a separate 35-billion-euro investment package.Despite growing anger in Greece over austerity, Tsipras caved in to demands by the creditors for a pension overhaul, tax hikes and privatisations. - A 'positive' evaluation - The concessions have brought relief from many quarters.