Lagarde on world tour to canvass for IMF top job

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, pictured left, has arrived in Brazil seeking to win support from one of the most influential emerging economies for her bid to the lead the International Monetary Fund.

Ms Lagarde's visit to Brasilia is the first in a global tour that will take her to India, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia as she competes with Mexican central bank chief Agustin Carstens, the only other candidate.

"I'm coming here to explain my candidacy … and I'm also here to listen to what the Brazilian authorities expect from the fund and from the managing director," Ms Lagarde said.

The resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn has led to calls from developing countries to end the traditional European domination of the job.