WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The International Monetary Fund will lower global growth forecasts due to the Middle East war, its chief said Thursday, warning of the conflict's "scarring effects" despite a fragile ceasefire.

"Even in a best case, there will be no neat and clean return to the status quo ante," IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said.

Georgieva said that - even in the fund's "most hopeful scenario" - spiraling energy costs, infrastructure damage, supply disruptions and a loss of market confidence meant growth would be less than expected.

The IMF also anticipates having to provide up to US$50 billion (RM198 billion) in immediate financial assistance to countries affected by the war, with food insecurity set to affect at ...