Sarkozy Backs Italian to Lead European Central Bank.

PARIS -- The high-level politicking over who will be the next president of the European Central Bank moved closer to resolution on Tuesday. But it is not yet a done deal. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France said he would support a respected Italian monetary official, Mario Draghi, to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet when he steps down later this year. Mr. Sarkozy made his unexpected announcement at a joint news conference in Rome with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]