Tsipras seeks deal to avoid Grexit

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras pleaded in the European Parliament on Wednesday for a fair deal to keep his country in the eurozone, acknowledging Greece's own responsibility for its plight, after EU leaders gave him five days to come up with reforms.

With its banks closed, cash withdrawals rationed and the economy in a freefall, Greece has never been closer to a total state bankruptcy that would probably force it to print an alternative currency and leave the euro.

Yet the leftist prime minister seemed relaxed and confident, with a note of humility, when he appeared before EU lawmakers in Strasbourg to cheers and scattered boos.