Alexis Tsipras: Greece has won a battle but the real difficulties lie ahead

Prime minister says his anti-austerity government now faces its toughest work, in first public reaction since deal made to extend bailout for four months

The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, has said the country has won a significant battle but has yet to win the war, in his first public reaction to the latest deal to keep the debt-stricken nation financially afloat.

Addressing Greeks less than 12 hours after the agreement was sealed at an emergency meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels, the leftist leader said the hardest work now lay before his anti-austerity government.