Clinton backs Lagarde for IMF top job

is a done deal, after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed her candidacy, a European official told AFP at the G8 summit.
“Lagarde? It’s done,” the senior source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as the decision depends on the IMF and not on EU or G8 leaders.
Europe has traditionally provided the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and the major EU governments have rallied around Lagarde’s bid for the job following the arrest of the former chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on sex assault charges.
Last week, Clinton said that although the United States had not adopted an official position, she personally welcomed Lagarde’s candidacy. “I am a strong supporter of qualified women, which she is certainly one, being given the opportunity to lead international organisations,” she said, referring to Lagarde. – AFP.