IMF: Greece asks for new loan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it had received a letter from Greece requesting a loan.

“We confirm that we have received a letter from the Greek authorities indicating that they are seeking a new loan facility from the IMF," the fund said in short statement.

"We will discuss with the Greek authorities and with our European partners the timing and the modalities for the discussions," the IMF added.

Separately, Greece was due to begin talks with European Union and IMF on a new bailout deal of 86 billion euros ($94 billion) on Friday. But they failed to start due to security issues. A right location in Greece for talks could not be found after widespread public protests against new austerity measures.

The Greek government has to pay another 3.2 billion euros ($3.5 billion) owed to the European Central Bank by Aug. 20 and 1.5 billion euros ($1.65 billion) to the IMF in September.