International development agencies have reacted with surprise to US President George Bush's nomination of US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as the next head of the World Bank.
Mr Wolfowitz, one of the architects of the war in Iraq, is a leading neo-conservative and one of President Bush's closest political allies.
The World Bank has an important role in the development of poor countries.
Britain and Japan are among the countries which welcomed the nomination. French and German ministers were guarded in their reaction, while Sweden's foreign minister said she was sceptical.
Mr Bush has defended the nomination, saying Mr Wolfowitz is ‘a proven leader and experienced diplomat, who will guide the World Bank effectively and honourably’.
The current head of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, will step down in June after a decade in the job.
