G8 backs Greece to stay in euro

World leaders have thrown their weight behind Greece staying in the eurozone after a day of crisis talks at the G8 summit in Camp David.

Leaders affirmed "our interest in Greece remaining in the eurozone while respecting its commitments", according to a statement by the White House last night (Saturday).

Earlier France had made its mark on the debate after the country's new president and prime minister insisted Greece should remain in the single currency.

Francois Hollande, the new leader, said he and US President Barack Obama shared "the same conviction that Greece must remain in the eurozone".

The French prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said European leaders must send a strong signal of support to Greece.

"There is a climate of uncertainty which is pushing Greece towards a banking panic and political instability," he said in a newspaper interview.

"We must respond by helping the country find the way back to growth."

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, said he would not entertain a "Plan B" for Greece, and that the focus remained on a "Plan A" with Greece part of the eurozone.

Attempts to move the debate to how Greece might be able to remain a eurozone member follow a tumultuous week for the single currency, which made a Greek exit seem more likely than ever.

Germany was left isolated after its chancellor, Angela Merkel, spoke for the first time about a possible Greek exit early in the week. She was also under increasing pressure to ease her demands for austerity, after Mr Obama joined France and Italy in a pro-growth stance.

A draft of the G8 communique last night showed leaders stressed an "imperative to create growth and jobs".