
France is seen supporting Kristalina Georgieva to be the next head of the International Monetary Fund as the EU seeks to agree on a single candidate ahead of the lender's Sept 6 deadline, according to several European officials familiar with the deliberations.

World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim has made the surprise announcement that he is stepping down after six years in the post. His resignation will take effect from 1 February. Mr Kim, 59, was not due to leave until 2022, after he was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2017.

Europe is extremely concerned about the consequences of the instability in Libya which could mean a humanitarian crisis of proportions if Libyans take to the sea and try to reach the European continent in look of food, hope and jobs, warned the EU Commissioner for Food Aid Kristalina Georgieva.