 WRAPUP 3-Britain endorses Lagarde as new IMF chief
NEW YORK, May 21 (Reuters) - Britain endorsed French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde as an "outstanding candidate" for IMF chief on Saturday, the first G7 country to officially back her as Dominique Strauss-Kahn's successor.Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund after being charged with trying to rape a hotel housekeeper on May 14, is under house arrest and armed guard in an apartment in New York's financial district.Lagarde has been touted by many European governments, but developing countries, with growing clout in the world economy, are keeping pressure on Europe and the United States to avoid a backroom deal over the appointment."We support her because she's the best person for the job, but I also personally think it would be a very good thing to see the first female managing director of the IMF in its 60-year history," British finance minister George Osborne said in a statement."She's shown real international leadership as chair of the G20 finance ministers this year. She has also been a strong advocate for countries tackling high budget deficits and living within their means."The IMF has been run by a European since it was created at the end of World War Two.Osborne's statement of support for a fellow European came just weeks after British Prime Minister David Cameron said the rise of nations like India and China meant "it may well be time actually to have a candidate from another part of the world."Strauss-Kahn, a leading contender for the French presidency until his arrest, left jail on Friday and was expected to stay in the apartment in Manhattan for a few days until permanent housing can be found as he prepares his defense. | 
05-23-2011, 12:44 AM
