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IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn quits over sex charge | IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn quits over sex charge |
(40 minutes later) | |
International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has offered to resign following an alleged sexual assault of a hotel maid in New York. | International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has offered to resign following an alleged sexual assault of a hotel maid in New York. |
In a statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, said he had already informed the executive board of his intention to step down "with immediate effect". | In a statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, said he had already informed the executive board of his intention to step down "with immediate effect". |
He again firmly denied the criminal charges against him. | He again firmly denied the criminal charges against him. |
Mr Strauss-Kahn - who is being held in New York's Rikers Island prison - is expected to make a new plea for bail. | Mr Strauss-Kahn - who is being held in New York's Rikers Island prison - is expected to make a new plea for bail. |
In the statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board my resignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF. | In the statement, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board my resignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF. |
"I think at this time first of my wife - whom I love more than anything - of my children, of my family, of my friends. I think also of my colleagues at the Fund; together we have accomplished such great things over the last three years and more. | "I think at this time first of my wife - whom I love more than anything - of my children, of my family, of my friends. I think also of my colleagues at the Fund; together we have accomplished such great things over the last three years and more. |
"To all, I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me. | "To all, I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me. |
"I want to protect this institution which I have served with honour and devotion, and especially - especially - I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence." | "I want to protect this institution which I have served with honour and devotion, and especially - especially - I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence." |
The IMF said it would inform "in the near future" on the selection process of a new chief. | The IMF said it would inform "in the near future" on the selection process of a new chief. |
The organisation's deputy, John Lipsky, has been in interim control of the IMF since Mr Strauss-Kahn's arrest. | |
Suicide watch | |
Mr Strauss-Kahn faces a number of charges in the alleged sexual assault of a 32-year-old maid in New York's Sofitel hotel last Saturday. | |
They are: committing a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. | |
On Monday a judge in New York denied Mr Strauss-Kahn bail - despite the offer of a $1m (£618,000) guarantee - saying there was a risk the IMF chief would flee the country. | |
However, he will make a new plea for bail at a court hearing on Thursday morning, his lawyer says. | |
Since being remanded in custody Mr Strauss-Kahn been placed on suicide watch at Rikers Island, a notorious prison. | |
His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has said the new bail hearing will be in Manhattan on Thursday morning. | |
The woman accuser has said she is "scared" but will testify against him, according to her lawyer. | |
Jeffrey Shapiro said that his client, from the West African nation of Guinea, feared for herself and her daughter when she discovered Mr Strauss-Kahn's identity a day after the 14 May incident. | |
He said she had only become aware of Mr Strauss-Kahn's identity "a day later when a friend called her to tell her, 'do you have any idea who this man is who did this to you?'". | |
Mr Shapiro said his client was "scared and incredulous". | |
"When she found out this encounter was with a man of great power and wealth she feared not only for herself but more importantly for her daughter." | |
The woman had now been reunited with her 15-year-old daughter in a "safe place", he added. |