Greece accepts principle of extending current bailout

(AFP) — Greece has accepted the principle of extending its current bailout programme which expires at the end of the month so as to keep it afloat while a long-term debt solution is worked out, Greek government sources said Monday.

Greece’s international creditors have proposed to extend its bailout by six months and supplying up to €18bn in rescue funds.

Greece’s lenders are also proposing to pledge debt relief for the austerity-battered country – but officials stressed that a breakthrough hinged on a positive response from the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras

“For the first time, we accept the extension of the programme as the only way forward,” one government source said as eurozone leaders discussed Greece’s future in the single currency ahead of the June 30 end of its current aid programme.