"The executive board has been briefed on this matter, including recently, and continues to express its confidence in the managing director's ability to effectively carry out her duties, " said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice at a press conference on Thursday.

BBC: IMF 'has confidence' in Christine Lagarde

International Monetary Fund spokesman Gerry Rice said in a statement that "more remains to be done", although he expressed relief that at least the tax hikes, which had threatened to send the US economy into recession, had been averted.

BBC: Markets rally on US fiscal cliff deal