PASOK leader George Papandreou, who resigned as prime minister last November, on Saturday called on remaining MPs in PASOK's Parliamentary group to "toe the party line" in Sunday's vote over a controversial new bailout package and related austerity measures.

"I ask and expect all of you to vote in favor the new agreement. It is difficult and painful ... but we must stand on our feet ... Tomorrow we must all do our duty".

Earlier in his address, Papandreou called on PASOK deputies to "rise to the occasion" in order for the country to avoid default, explaining what real bankruptcy will mean, as he said.

Referring to the Memorandum, he said it was not a solution to the problem but the beginning of the solution.

"I do not accept that the arsonists are not to blame, but instead those who tried to extinguish the fire are."

On the new bailout loan, Papandreou said that our partners state clearly that they will help us to put aside our heavy debts of the past with a new 130 billion euros support package and a 100 billion euros haircut of our debt, but our concern is not to create new deficits. "We made the start and we must not lose this war," stressed Papandreou.

The PASOK leader also attacked the Greek media, accusing them of "gambling" with the Greek people's agony.