A meeting convened by Greek President Karolos Papoulias with three main party leaders to try to break the deadlock and broker a coalition government deal has ended.

Mr Papoulias met today with the heads of conservative New Democracy, socialist PASOK and radical left Syriza, who finished in the top three positions in elections last week that left no party with enough votes to form a government.

None of the three made any statements immediately after the meeting, which lasted about an hour-and-a-half.

Mr Papoulias will now hold individual meetings with the heads of four smaller parties that also won parliamentary seats.

If no agreement is reached to form a government, Greece must hold new elections next month.