Auditors to postpone Greece visit

(ATHENS) - An inspection of Greek reforms by international creditors will be delayed, a government source said on Sunday, with the new prime minister and finance minister both sidelined by health trouble.

"There is a delay, the exact date of the (auditors') arrival will be set in the coming days," the source said.

Officials from the so-called "troika" of Greece's creditors -- the EU, IMF and the European Central Bank -- were to arrive in Athens on Monday to resume close monitoring of Greek finances last conducted in February.

But new Prime Minister Antonis Samaras underwent major eye surgery on Saturday and is expected to stay at home for at least a week, missing an EU summit on June 28-29.

Incoming Finance Minister Vassilis Rapanos is also in hospital since Friday after complaining of stomach pains, and is likely to be discharged on Tuesday.

The new government, built around the conservatives and backed by socialists and moderate leftists after June 17 elections, wants a two-year extension to its tough fiscal adjustment.

It also wants to review a number of cost-cutting labour reforms recently enacted which it sees as depressing demand in the midst of a five-year recession.