ATHENS, Greece » Greek ministers have offered their resignations to the prime minister, paving the way to create an interim government that will shepherd the country’s new European debt deal through parliament.

Prime Minister George Papandreou has been in talks with the opposition leader, Antonis Samaras, for a second day, trying to hammer out a power-sharing deal amid intense European pressure to end the country’s political deadlock.

Tourism Minister George Nikitiadis said the entire cabinet offered their resignations during a meeting Tuesday to help the premier. Deputy education minister Evi Christophilopoulou said "we are very close to forming a coalition government."