Euro zone nears deal on lifeline for Greece

(Reuters) - With fresh promises from Greece to redouble its reform efforts to keep international financial aid flowing, euro zone finance ministers will decide on Monday if Athens gets the cash it needs all at once or by drip feed.

There will also be warning shots to Portugal to ensure that its economic reforms stay on track despite political stress.

After more than three years on a lifeline from Europe, Greece's governing coalition is split over how to meet the demands of its bailout program, putting the country center stage and threatening to reignite the euro zone debt crisis.

But a week of talks in Athens, culminating in promises to reform the public sector, appeared to convince the troika of international lenders - the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank - that Greece is committed to rebuilding its economy.

That paves the way for Greece to receive 8.1 billion euros ($10.5 billion) as part of its 240-billion euro rescue package, although ministers meeting in Brussels may split up the cash into installments to force through unpopular reforms ranging from sacking public workers to selling state assets.

"If we get proof that Greece is living up to everything, then Greece will get its money," Luxembourg Finance Minister Luc Frieden told reporters as he arrived at the meeting.

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