Turkey outlines financial needs

The new Turkish economy Minister, Kemal Dervis, says that his country needs between ten and twelve billion dollars in aid to help it through it present financial crisis.

Mr Dervis is in Washington for talks with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on new aid, following the recent devaluation of the lira.

Speaking at a news conference at the Turkish embassy, Mr Dervis said that more international help was needed urgently.

Last week, Turkey and the IMF reached preliminary agreement on interim measures aimed at helping the Turkish economy in the short term.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service