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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.
Currently the organisation is being run by John Lipsky. 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.