Greece Needs €50bn In Three Years, Says IMF

Thousands of Greeks are set to attend rallies in Athens this evening, as the rival 'yes' and 'no' campaigns plead their cases ahead of Sunday's bailout referendum.

The public meetings will be staged just 800 metres apart in central Athens, raising fears of potential trouble.

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras was to speak at the "no" rally in the capital's main Syntagma Square outside Parliament.

'Yes' supporters are to gather at the nearby Panathenian Stadium.

The referendum will centre on whether Greeks are prepared to accept the latest offer from the country's international creditors - rejected by the government as against its anti-austerity mandate.

The latest polls suggest a slight lead for the "yes" camp - those in favour of accepting the creditors' terms.

Leaders of eurozone nations have said a 'no' win is a vote against Greece remaining in the eurozone while Mr Tsipras believes it would strengthen his negotiating hand.

A 'yes' win is expected to result in the resignation of the Greek government and the formation of a national unity government.

The figures at the heart of the country's financial crisis were earlier laid bare by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It said Greece needed €50bn over the next three years to stabilise its finances even under existing creditor plans.

Of that figure, €36bn must come from EU lenders, the IMF said.

The sense of crisis in Greece has intensified amid reports that bank cash machines are on course to run out of money over the weekend, following the decision by the European Central Bank not to increase the limit on its emergency funding support.

Businesses - especially retailers - have also reported a shortage of change, as capital controls in the country restrict people to three €20 euro notes a day at the ATMs.

There is evidence of growing anger and frustration on the streets.

Police clashed with far-left protesters in Athens on Thursday night.

Officers used tear gas and pepper spray to stop the anti-austerity demonstrators trying to storm EU offices in the capital.

The capital controls which limit cash withdrawals to €60 per-person-per- day could well be tightened.

Its bank branches and stock exchange - shut all week - are also expected to remain closed until Tuesday at the earliest.