WASHINGTON - The Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Sunday that it was ready to continue lending support to Greece's economic growth and job creation efforts.

"We take note of the election results in Greece and stand ready to engage with the new government on the way forward to help Greece achieve its objective of restoring financial stability, economic growth and jobs," an IMF spokesperson on Sunday said in a short statement.

The parliamentary elections on Sunday, 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.

Early results show that pro-bailout New Democracy came first in the elections, easing fears that Greece may exit the eurozone.