Paris: IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigns

Frenchman Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned as IMF chief saying he wanted to devote all his energy to fighting sexual assault charges in New York.In his resignation, Dominique Strauss-Kahn wrote that this was a tragic day in his life. Dominique Strauss is a popular personality in France. He has also been serving as French finance minister.The scandal has thrown the French political scene into disarray, as Strauss-Kahn had been seen as a strong contender to defeat President Nicolas Sarkozy in next years elections. He had also won the confidence of left wing parties.The move came after escalating pressure on the IMF to chart a course through the leadership crisis and promised to kick off a succession battle between emerging economies and Western nations that have long dominated the world body.European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso called for a strong European candidate to succeed Strauss-Kahn.