The Executive Board of the World Bank has postponed making a decision about the future of the bank's President, Paul Wolfowitz.
The former US Deputy Defence Secretary is under pressure to resign after an internal report concluded he had broken the bank's code of conduct by helping to arrange a large pay rise and promotion for his girlfriend.
Last night, the full 24-member board of the bank's donor nations met to listen to Mr Wolfowitz's explanation.
It is understood he argued that he had acted in good faith and in the bank's best interests.
The White House has been lobbying on behalf of Mr Wolfowitz but spokesman, Tony Snow, signalled that the position was flexible.
