Deal between Athens and lenders within sight

Government officials will go into talks with the institutions on Saturday hoping they will culminate in a staff-level agreement (SLA). Some common ground was achieved on Friday but the Greek side had to make several concessions.

Following clashes this week at an Athens courthouse where property auctions were taking place, the creditors asked for greater security to be provided to notaries participating in the process. It was agreed that the law would be tweaked so anyone involved in violent protest could be arrested on the spot rather than following an official complaint from a notary.

The government also agreed to make changes by February to the so-called Katseli Law, which protects primary residences from foreclosure, depending on the owner's financial situation. The aim is to prevent strategic defaulters from being able to take advantage of the safeguards.