Washington, May 19: International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, accused of trying to rape a New York hotel maid, has resigned, the organisation said in a statement.

"I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me," Strauss-Kahn said in his letter of resignation.

"I want to protect this institution which I have served with honor and devotion, and especially-especially-I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

The IMF will communicate in the near future on the Executive Board's process of selecting a new managing director. John Lipsky will remain acting managing director before that, said the IMF.

Strauss-Kahn is behind bars in the US after he was accused of sexually assaulting the hotel maid.

Strauss-Kahn, 62, said in a statement that he has informed the executive board of his intention to resign "with immediate effect".

He has denied the criminal charges against him.