Berlin - Germany is likely to back the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, despite allegations against him, the news magazine Der Spiegel said Saturday.

A investigation by a law firm has been under way into claims that the French politician had an affair with a woman subordinate. Spiegel said the inquiry commissioned by the IMF had been completed.

The magazine said Berlin was unwilling that Strauss-Kahn resign at this point because of a secret agreement that Europe would relinquish its decades-old right to nominate the IMF managing director.

The IMF steering committee had written in confidence to principal finance ministers accepting a "change of region" in the appointment. That letter had been signed by Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, who was Italian finance minister till May.

At the time he was chairman of the steering committee, which oversees the IMF.

Spiegel said Arab, Latin American, African and Asian nations regarded the letter as a binding commitment to appoint a non-European whenever Strauss-Kahn retires, even if he were to leave prematurely.

The magazine said Berlin was keen that Strauss-Kahn stay on, both for reasons of European prestige and because the Germans believed he was "the right man at the right time" to cope with the world financial crisis. (dpa)