Another day, another neglected deadline in Europe's efforts to resolve the crisis in Greece.

The parties backing the technocratic government of Greek Prime Minister, Mr Lucas Papademos, have failed to reach an agreement on the conditions that the troika of the European Commission, European Central Bank and IMF have set on a new €130-billion bailout. Hopes had been building overnight that an agreement would be reached, with the Government setting a deadline of mid-day Monday Greek time for an agreement to be reached on further austerity measures.

The discussions are expected to continue on Tuesday, though with deadline after deadline being set and passed, concern is building. Mr Antonis Samaras, the leader of the New Democracy party, taking part in the talks had pledged to oppose some of the proposals.

“We are really beyond deadlines,” Mr Amadeu Altafaj Tardio, a spokesperson for European Commission Vice-President Mr Olli Rehn told a press conference on Monday. “We would have hoped a decision would have been made this weekend at the latest,” he said, adding that there were a number of deadlines that couldn't be ignored.

Next month, Greece must refinance €14.5 billion debt in March or face default. European officials have made clear that there can be no movement forward with those plans until clear commitments are made by Greece, without no deal would be seen as credible by the market.

“There are objective limits to what we can do,” Mr Altafaj added. “The ball is in the court of the Greek authorities at this stage.”

There would be “no deal' if the troika's demands weren't agreed to, German Chancellor Ms Angela Merkel said at a joint meeting with French President Mr Nicholas Sarkozy in Paris on Monday. “Time is running out,” Mr Sarkozy warned.

A general strike against the proposed measures, which include cuts to Greece's minimum wage, is due to take place in Athens on Tuesday.

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