Germany has growing doubts about quick deal on Greek aid: Bild

[BERLIN] The German government has growing doubts a deal on a multi-billion-euro bailout for Greece can be agreed in the next two weeks, meaning Athens would need to secure a bridge loan, Bild daily reported on Thursday.

"That is not achievable," the newspaper quoted a government source as saying of the Aug 20 deadline for agreeing the new bailout.

A 3.5-billion-euro (US$3.82 billion) debt payment to the European Central Bank falls due on Aug 20 and without a bailout deal, Athens will need bridge financing.

On Wednesday, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Greece was close to concluding a deal with lenders on the bailout, which he said would end doubts over its place in the eurozone.

REUTERS