Athens - Greece's fuel truck drivers decided to extend a strike that has left fuel pumps dry across the country and disrupted transport until at least Wednesday.

The week-long strike has left the majority of petrol pumps across Greece dry as drivers press for higher distribution fees from the government.

Thousands of Greeks could be seen queuing outside the rare petrol station which still had fuel across the Greek capital.

Some queues could be seen stretching more than two kilometres and drivers were willing to wait even as petrol stations had set a limit of 20 euros per vehicle in order to serve more cars.

Reports said no more than 200 petrol stations had gas in Athens and less than 50 in the northern port city of Thessaloniki which have been refuelled by dozens of independent truck operators who were not on strike.

Transport sector drivers are seeking increases in state regulated charges to offset increases arising from soaring petrol prices.

Talks between unions and the government have failed to reach an agreement so far.

Truck drivers, including those transporting fuel and food supplies, have asked for a 13-per-cent rise in distribution charges, while the government has agreed to a
5-per-cent hike.

Petrol-station owners who were still supplied with petrol on Monday had reportedly upped prices by as much as 35 per cent to take advantage of the high demand while press reports said there were cases of stranded drivers stealing gasoline from parked vehicles.

The protest has also had an impact on food supplies as fruit producers, mainly from the southern Mediterranean island of Crete, were unable to transport their goods.

The lack of fuel also forced many passenger ferries to the islands to be docked at the port of Piraeus. (dpa)