Greek pro-bailout parties look to forge coalition (Reuters)

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Greek pro-bailout parties look to forge coalition

(Reuters) - Political parties supporting Greece's international bailout will begin forging a government on Monday after an election victory over radical leftists staved off the prospect of the debt-laden country leaving the euro and brought relief to global markets.

Conservative New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras called for broad support after winning Sunday's election over the radical SYRIZA party, which had threatened to cancel the aid deal in defiance of the country's lenders.

"There is no time to waste," Samaras told reporters in Athens as jubilant, chanting supporters waved blue party flags. "A national salvation government must bring economic growth and reassure Greeks the worst is over," he said.

With 99 percent of ballots counted, New Democracy had won 29.7 percent of the vote, ahead of SYRIZA on 27 percent. Samaras will need the support of the once-mighty PASOK Socialists, now humbled by angry Greeks, to form a government.

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