In this photo released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Acting Managing Director John Lipsky holds his regularly scheduled economic surveillance meeting with senior staff and management on May 18, 2011 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC. – AFP Photo

WASHINGTON: Acting IMF chief John Lipsky said the Fund's executive board would meet later Thursday to launch the search for a successor to managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned to face sex charges.

“My understanding is that they will meet today to begin the process,” said Lipsky.

“This is the responsibility of the membership, not the staff, not the management,” he added.

Strauss-Kahn quit his job in a statement released by the 24-member IMF board at midnight Wednesday, four days after he was arrested in New York on charges of sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a chambermaid at the luxury Sofitel hotel.

Strauss-Kahn denied the charges.

Lobbying has already begun over the post, which has been occupied by a European since 1945. Many developing economies have called for a chief from elsewhere, with former Turkish finance minister Kemal Dervis the non-European favorite.

European countries appear to favor French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde.