Pro-euro Greeks stage rally in Athens

Greece's pro euro protesters returned to the streets here Thursday evening, as the government approved the debt deal proposal which will be sent in coming hours to the country's lenders to stave off a looming bankruptcy and Grexit.

"We are staying in Europe and we do not negotiate this," read banners waved by citizens mobilized through social media.

"We will stay here, silent, waiting. Alexis we are not leaving until you bring us the agreement you promised," read a Facebook invitation, urging demonstrators to continue a non stop symbolic sit in protest until white smoke emerges from Brussels.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called on the Greek people to vote against the draft tabled by the creditors in the July 5 referendum, pledging that with a strong NO his government would secure a better deal within 48 hours in negotiations. Six out of 10 voters voted NO.

However, the euro zone summit in the Belgian capital on Tuesday night ended with a clear warning by Greece's counterparts that by Sunday's extraordinary summit the Greeks will either have a comprehensive third reforms-for-cash bailout or will face Grexit.

The detailed draft deal Athens proposes was ratified by a cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon and was ready to be tabled to lenders.

According to government sources, Tsipras appeared determined to reach an agreement.

The Greeks who held several big pro-euro rallies recently and voted YES last Sunday called on citizens regardless of what they voted for a few days ago to join forces and push for the signing of a deal to ensure Greece's stay in the euro zone and Europe.

"Yes to Greece, Yes to Euro. Greece-Europe-Democracy," they chanted waving Greek and EU flags once again on Thursday.

Another rally organized by the Greeks who voted NO last Sunday was scheduled for Friday evening.

This time NO supporters call on the government to "respect people's recent mandate and not impose further austerity measures." Endit