German and French leaders meet amid bitter dispute over more financial aid for Greece

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BERLIN – The German and French leaders are meeting amid a bitter dispute over a fresh round of financial help for Greece, with Chancellor Angela Merkel pushing for private creditors to share a big part of the burden.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in Berlin for talks Friday in the hope of finding a compromise with Merkel. Sarkozy is insisting further disagreement could destabilize the euro and spark panic on financial markets.

The EU’s top financial official, Olli Rehn, indicated Thursday that Greece will likely get its next financial lifeline in July if Prime Minister George Papandreou’s government can pass new budget cuts and privatizations before the end of the month.

Greece has been wracked by street protests and political turmoil over the issue.

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