**The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is impressed by Greece’s determination to solve its debt crisis.**The IMF also said it had speeded up its loan talks with Greece, and would have the funds ready in time to meet the country’s needs.
IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn met Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou on Sunday.
On Friday, Greece asked for emergency EU-IMF loans to bail out its debt-ridden economy.
The country has asked the IMF for $13.4bn (£8.7bn). It will need a chunk of that before May 19, when it faces a debt payment of $11.3bn.
Greece also is hoping to obtain loans of about $40bn from its fellow European countries.
Mr Strauss-Kahn said everyone involved in the rescue plan was aware of the need for swift action, and he was optimistic of a speedy result: “I am confident that we will conclude discussions in time to meet Greece’s needs,” he said in a statement.
He praised the efforts of the Greek people, which he said were “courageous”.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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