Ex-PM Papandreou says bailout Greece's only hope

(ATHENS) - Greece's former prime minister George Papandreou urged lawmakers to approve an austerity plan requested by foreign creditors Sunday, describing it as the country's only hope of avoiding default.

"The country has to get through this, we have to win this battle, now is the time for responsibility," Papandreou, still the leader of the socialist Pasok party, told lawmakers.

Greek parliament was debating a deeply unpopular austerity package which has already been approved by the government ahead of a late-night vote.

Parliamentary backing of the plan is needed for Greece's international creditors -- the European Union and the International Monetary Fund -- to unlock a 130-billion-euro ($171-billion) rescue fund.

"If we collapse, we won't be able to fix anything anymore... the package is the country's only hope," said Papandreou.

The socialist leader was addressing parliament's 300 deputies as some members of Pasok threatened to break ranks, denouncing the stringent conditions attached to the bailout.

Papandreou, who became prime minister in October 2009, was forced to resign late last year amid mounting discontent over the austerity measures he was trying to push through to help his country stave off bankruptcy.

His party remains part of the government coalition led by Prime Minister Lucas Papademos.