Greece's prime minister abandoned his explosive plan to put a European rescue deal to popular vote Thursday, keeping his government alive — but passionate squabbling in Athens left the country's solve

Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Friday he had told his European partners that Greece had officially scrapped its plan for a referendum that had enraged leaders Europe-wide.

Venizel

Greece’s lawmakers are to vote on Thursday on intensely unpopular new measures needed to secure continued payment from an international bailout fund as the country remains paralysed by a two-day general strike.

Embattled Prime Minister George Papandreou made a final appeal for support from wavering deputies on Tuesday ahead of a vote on unpopular new austerity measures that will be held against a backdrop of