The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that the size of Egypt's $8 billion loan programme is "still appropriate", and that it will assess as a priority how effective the country's social protection programmes are.

The head of the International Monetary Fund will visit Egypt soon, after the country’s government said that regional conflicts were making it harder to meet targets and timetables on an $8 billion loan program with the Washington-based lender.

Egypt’s government is reportedly struggling to meet the March loan’s conditions due to rising conflict in the critical Red Sea.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday that she will travel to Egypt in about 10 days to see first-hand the country's difficult economic situation and drive home the need to stick with reforms.

Egypt is working with the International Monetary Fund on reviewing targets and timelines for the implementation of its $8 billion loan program, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Wednesday.

International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday urged Egypt to continue undertaking its reforms as Cairo said it is considering re-evaluating the targets set by its bailout programme.