Parliament will back reform negotiations

The Greek parliament will give the government a mandate to negotiate with creditors for a cash-for-reforms deal, the parliamentary spokesman of the ruling Syriza party told reporters on Friday.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called a snap vote in parliament on Friday asking for its backing to negotiate a list of "prior actions" -- measures his government would take to convince creditors of its intent for an aid deal.

Asked if there would be a deal, Nikos Filis told journalists: "Certainly. Today we are speaking in parliament."