'Brexit' draft 'grounds for deal': Malta PM

(BRUSSELS) - EU officials have drafted proposals to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron's reform demands that could be "grounds for a deal" at a Brussels summit, Malta's prime minister said Friday.

Joseph Muscat said the 28 European Union leaders are set to consider the proposals shortly on the second day of the marathon meeting where Cameron has faced resistance to his demands.

"There is a draft that will be tabled in a few minutes' time. The main points of the draft are a compromise so everyone has to have given a little something," Muscat told reporters at the summit.

"But I think it is definitely the grounds for a deal hopefully," he added.

"From what we know from the information that we are privy to, we are relatively happy with the final draft and we are ready, all things being equal, to support."

The Maltese embassy to the EU's Twitter account quoted him as saying: "Pending any last minute surprises, latest #UKinEU draft expected to be good compromise."

The draft came following a second day of tense negotiations in Brussels on how to reset Britain's relationship with the EU ahead of a membership referendum and shortly after bilateral meeting between Muscat and Cameron.