IMF chief to take first trip to Middle East

Rodrigo Rato makes his first trip to the Middle East on October 23 as head of the International Monetary Fund, the global lender said on Wednesday.
His visit comes amid concerns over the impact of rising oil prices on global growth and economic implications for oil producing countries, many of them in the Middle East. Oil eased back to $54.92 a barrel on Wednesday from a record $55.33 on Monday.
The IMF said Rato will travel to Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, Lebanon and Egypt to meet leaders and hold talks on regional economic developments.