US president George Bush yesterday moved to soothe relations with America's economic partners by naming Bob Zoellick, whom Mr Bush described as a "committed internationalist", to succeed Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank.

Mr Wolfowitz was forced out of office following a scandal over his negotiation of a lucrative salary package for his girlfriend, who worked at the bank.

A former deputy secretary of state and US trade representative, Mr Zoellick has enjoyed warm relations with European officials and politicians since his involvement in negotiations towards German reunification in 1990. A supporter of Senator John McCain's presidential campaign, he is a moderate Republican who yesterday asserted his commitment to the bank and the international institutional architecture of which it is part.

"The World Bank has passed through a difficult time for all involved. There are frustrations, anxieties, and tensions about the past that could inhibit the future. This is understandable, but not without remedy. We need to put yesterday's discord behind us and to focus on the future together. I believe that the World Bank's best days are still to come," he said.

Mr Bush paid tribute to Mr Wolfowitz but made clear that Mr Zoellick would bring a more conciliatory style to an institution that distributes $22 billion each year in loans and grants to some of the world's poorest countries.

"Bob Zoellick has had a long and distinguished career in diplomacy and development economics. It has prepared him well for this new assignment. He is a committed internationalist. He has earned the trust and support of leaders from every region of the world. He is deeply devoted to the mission of the World Bank. He wants to help struggling nations defeat poverty, to grow their economies, and offer their people the hope of a better life. Bob Zoellick is deeply committed to this cause," Mr Bush said.

The World Bank president is traditionally an American and European governments reacted warmly to Mr Zoellick's nomination. For his part, Mr Zoellick signalled he will bring a new management style to the bank, where staff complained that Mr Wolfowitz relied on a small circle of US advisers.

"I look forward to working with the World Bank team, professionals whose overriding goal is to help others," he said.