WASHINGTON, May 19 � Dominique Strauss-Kahn who is locked up in a New York prison on allegations of sexual assault today resigned as the managing director of the IMF, triggering a succession battle between the developing world and Europe to lead the global lender, reports PTI.
�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,� Strauss-Kahn wrote to the Washington-based IMF board.
�Dominique Strauss-Kahn has today informed the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of his intention to resign as Managing Director with immediate effect,� the IMF said in a statement after it received a formal letter in this regard from Strauss-Kahn.
Strauss-Kahn, 62, who has claimed innocence, is locked up in a New York prison since Saturday when he was bundled out of a Paris-bound flight and taken into custody on charges of sexually assaulting a chambermaid at a Manhattan hotel.
�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,� he said.
In his letter Strauss-Kahn maintained his innocence and said he would fight off the charges.