IMF welcomes Egypt government for pushing economic reform program

The head of the International Monetary Fund's Middle East division said Egypt and the IMF have agreed on talks on a possible aid program in the next weeks. "We agreed that our discussions would continue diligently over the coming weeks with the aim of reaching agreement on possible financial support," he said, in a statement released by the lender's Washington headquarters. He hailed the government's keenness on pressing ahead with an economic reform program. "I welcome the authorities' determination to move forward with their economic reform program that seeks to address these challenges in a socially balanced manner," Ahmed said. "I reiterated that the IMF is committed to support Egypt in this endeavor."