London, May 16 (IANS) Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to face scientific and forensic tests while intending to "vigorously" defend himself against charges that he sexually assaulted a hotel maid, said lawyers.

His court hearing was delayed and he remained in jail Sunday night after consenting to a medical examinations at the government's request to be arraigned in a Manhattan court Sunday. But the hearing has now been put over to Monday, The Guardian reported.

The maid identified him at a police line-up at the special victims unit in Harlem, New York, where the 62-year-old French presidential hopeful was being held.

"He intends to vigorously defend these charges and denies any wrongdoing," lawyer Benjamin Brafman told journalists outside the courthouse.

"Our client willingly consented to scientific and forensic examinations at the request of the government," said William Taylor, another of Strauss-Kahn's lawyers.

Strauss-Kahn was arrested over the weekend and charged with assaulting the maid at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan.

He was pulled off an Air France flight destined for Paris at John F. Kennedy International Airport Saturday after the alleged incident.

Strauss-Kahn, became the IMF's 10th managing director in November 2007.

The IMF this weekend appointed John Lipsky, first deputy managing director, as interim boss in Strauss-Kahn's place.