G7 says interests for Greece to stay in eurozone

WASHINGTON - The Group of Seven industrialized nations (G7) said on Sunday that they look forward to working with new Greek government and reaffirmed their position that Greece should remain in the euro zone.

"Taking note of the Greek elections, we look forward to working with the next government of Greece, and believe that it is in all our interests for Greece to remain in the Euro area while respecting its commitments," the Group of Seven said in a statement.

"We welcome the commitment of the Euro Area to work in partnership with the next Greek government to ensure they remain on the path to reform and sustainability within the Euro Area," noted the statement.

The pro-bailout conservative New Democracy party beat the anti-bailout leftist Syriza party in Greece's crucial election on Sunday, according to the updated exit poll released nearly two hours after all polling stations were closed.

The parliamentary election, the second round in six weeks in Greece, were seen as a referendum on bailout deals and the debt-laden country's fate in the eurozone.