Greek parliament approves foreclosure protection bill

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's parliament approved on Friday a bill extending the protection of borrowers from foreclosures on their primary homes after tense negotiations with its international creditors.

The new framework, part of measures to expedite a clean up of bank balance sheets, was approved by a majority of lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament. It replaces an older scheme which international lenders considered more generous.

Athens hopes that Friday's approval will help the country qualify for the transfer of about 1 billion euros from its euro zone lenders- mainly from profits that euro zone central banks have made on their Greek bond portfolios.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)