IMF to mull ways to increase firepower: Lagarde

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
The International Monetary Fund will explore options to increase its lending capacity, the agency's managing director Christine Lagarde said Tuesday
 "IMF management and staff will explore options for increasing the Fund's firepower, subject to adequate safeguards," Lagarde said in a brief statement after an IMF executive board meeting about the adequacy of the IMF's resources
European leaders said last month that they are considering adding up to 200 billion euros in resources to the IMF in an effort to spur similar donations from other global heavyweights
The IMF could then use the extra cash to help stem the debt crisis
Lagarde said the IMF board stressed the need for countries to work together to contain the debt crisis
The White House has made clear that it won't contribute more to the IMF
Analysts said that Congress would not support any increase in U.S. taxpayer support.