G7 meeting likely to be postponed

THE PLANNED London meeting of G7 finance ministry officials to discuss the fall-out from the Russian crisis is likely to be postponed until Monday, according to a government official. The official said a number of countries were experiencing "logistical problems" with the proposed meeting on Saturday, called to discuss recent economic developments.

"It now looks as if the meeting will go ahead on Monday, although Saturday remains a possibility", a spokesman said. He added that a final decision will be made by today. The meeting takes place ahead of the International Monetary Fund's annual meeting in Washington next month, where Chancellor Gordon Brown (left) will play a key part in the debate over how the rich Western nations should react to the Russian crisis.