IMF says Middle East revolts need close attention

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund said Saturday that the economic impact of Middle East revolts warrants close attention. Referring to the 2008-2009 financial crises, the IMF's key policy board stressed "the importance of employment creation for medium-term sustainability."

"Against this background, the immediate economic impact of the tragic events in Japan and of developments in some Middle Eastern and North African countries also warrants close attention," it said in a statement.