Dominique Strauss-Kahn has denied rumours that he and his wife will be making a fresh start in Israel.

After the couple spent last weekend in Israel, French press reported that Mr Strauss-Kahn could be a possible replacement for Stanley Fischer, governor of the Bank of Israel Governor.

But Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyer, Richard Malka, strongly denied the speculation.

He told AFP: "Anne Sinclair and Dominique Strauss-Kahn formally deny ever having envisaged moving to Israel as alleged today by a weekly that could not find any news.

"These rumours are deeply unhealthy and ill-intentioned."

The former managing director of the International Monetary Fund and his wife stayed near Petach Tikvah at the home of French businessman, Jean Frydman, during their short visit.

Earlier this year, charges of alleged sexual assault against the French Socialist Party politician were dropped after the case against him crumbled.

In an ironic twist, Mr Fischer was tipped as one of the contenders to replace Strauss-Kahn at the IMF last summer.