The Turkey\'s stock market bounced back on Monday on the news, and comments from Turkish Economy Minister Ali Babacan that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would discuss considering releasing fresh funds for Turkey on 18 April added a further boost. Turkey\'s main stock index jumped 3.2% to 10,743 points while the lira moved to 1,649,000 against the US dollar, from Friday\'s close of 1,652,000. A protracted war on the southern border with Iraq could seriously hamper recovery, as Turkey battles with its worst economic recession since 1945. The IMF is expected to release a $700m loan tranche of a $16bn economic loan pact for Turkey\'s sluggish economy. In addition, Turkey will also receive a $1bn grant, or up to $8.5bn in loan guarantees, from Washington. The US Congress approved the funds last week after Ankara decided to open its airspace for the US-led war on Iraq. US-Turkish relations had taken a nosedive following a decision by the Turkish parliament not to allow the deployment of US troops. Turkey had been in line for up to $30bn from Washington, in return for allowing 62,000 US troops to be stationed on its soil. But US-Turkish relations seemed to warm a bit after last week\'s visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Ankara. Turkey\'s newly-elected Prime Minister Erdogan extended the US rights to supply its troops with fuel and food by land route through Turkey as well as allowing over flights. (BBC)