The World Bank board, which is considering a panel's report critical of bank President Paul Wolfowitz, has adjourned until 6.30pm at the request of the US.
The United States has so far refrained from endorsing the panel's report, which found on Monday that Wolfowitz broke ethics rules and violated terms of his contract in a pay and promotion agreement for his companion in 2005, the sources said.
The US administration early today signalled its weakening support for Wolfowitz.
'This has certainly been a bruising episode to the bank and what you have to do is to figure out a way forward to maintain the integrity of the institution, and therefore when you do it you discuss everything,' White House spokesman Tony Snow said.
He added the administration of President George W. Bush still supported Wolfowitz, who late last night pleaded with the World Bank board of directors to let him stay on in the post he has held for two years.
Snow said Wolfowitz had made mistakes in a pay and promotions package awarded to his girlfriend, a fellow World Bank staffer, but that was 'not a firing offense.'
Mr Wolfowitz pleaded for his job a meeting of the 24 executive directors of the bank in Washington last night.
He has repeatedly said he will not resign over the scandal but a majority of the board is now believed to want him to stand down.
Of the G8 group of industrialised nations that controls the vast majority of the voting power in the Bank, only Japan is thought to support America's stance that he does not deserve to be dismissed.
