Greek MPs to vote on new bailout plan

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's tough new proposals to secure a third bailout aimed at staving off financial collapse and preventing a possible exit from the eurozone awaited on Friday the approval of the country's parliament, BBC reported.

The prime minister submitted the proposals on Thursday to Greece's creditors -- the European Commission (EC), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Eurozone finance ministers will also examine the new proposals, which include pension cuts and tax rises, ahead of a full European Union (EU) summit on Sunday.

Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis has urged the government not to agree to a bailout that would "surrender, loot and subjugate our people".

He said the "No" vote in last Sunday's referendum, when Greeks rejected creditors' terms for a new bailout, should not be turned into a "humiliating 'Yes'".

Further rallies were planned in Athens on Friday, both backing and opposing the terms of a new bailout.

Greece's creditors have already provided over 200 billion euros (about $222 billion) in two bailouts since a rescue plan began five years ago.

The second bailout expired on June 30.

For the third bailout, Greece is reportedly seeking 53.5 billion euros (about $59 billion) and a restructuring of its huge debt burden.

Greece's banks were still closed and the 60-euro ($66) daily limit on cash machine withdrawals, imposed on June 28, remained in force.