Brazil's Mantega says IMF rushing choice

Brazil's finance minister says the hunt for a new head of the International Monetary Fund is being rushed. He says a temporary leader should be chosen.

The IMF executive board has said it plans to make its selection by the end of June.

Brazil Finance Minister Guido Mantega says Monday that such a time frame does not give world leaders enough time to know the candidates.

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn quit last week after being accused of attempting to rape a New York hotel maid.

Mantega suggests have a temporary head serve out Strauss-Kahn's mandate, which runs until the end of 2012.

Mantega reiterated that the candidate should be chosen on merit, and not based on the tradition that a European fill the job.

European countries are backing French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde for the job.

The Mexican government meantime says it will nominate the head of the country's central bank to lead the IMF.

Mexican Finance Minister Ernesto Cordero Arroyo will propose Agustin Carstens as a candidate for the top job.

Carstens has served the agency before as the IMF's executive director for Mexico, Spain, Venezuela and Central America.

 - AP