SNAPSHOT - Financial crisis - 2250 GMT

 NEWS

 - IMF backs G7 stabilization plan, urges "exceptional
vigilance, coordination and readiness to take bold action"

 - Sarkozy and Merkel say they prepared "a certain number of
decisions" to present at Sunday meeting of European leaders

 - Euro zone chiefs to mull bank rescue package, taking
British move to guarantee interbank lending as reference point

 - United States appeals for patience. Bush huddles with G7
economic chiefs and IMF, World Bank officials

 - U.S. auto sector hammered. General Motors said to have
had talks with smaller rival Chrysler LLC about merger

 QUOTES

 "The benefits will not be realized overnight, but as these
actions take effect, they will help restore stability to our
markets and confidence to our financial institutions." - Bush

 Risks to the global economy are "the most serious and
challenging in recent memory." - Paulson

 "Intensifying solvency concerns about a number of the
largest U.S.-based and European financial institutions have
pushed the global financial system to the brink of systemic
meltdown." - Strauss-Kahn

 "Saying that they'll take all steps necessary leaves
hanging the question of whether they know what is best and
necessary. It was a signature moment for the G7. I think
markets are going to be very disappointed." - Kenneth Rogoff,
former IMF chief economist

 "On the surface, it frankly doesn't make sense. The
acquisition of Chrysler wouldn't solve any problems GM has and
would only make some existing ones worse." - Aaron Bragman,
analyst with Global Insight

 UPCOMING

 SUNDAY

 EU leaders to meet in Paris

 MONDAY

 Annual meeting of IMF/World Bank in Washington

 U.S. fixed-income markets closed, Columbus Day