The United Arab Emirates is backing French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde in the race to to lead the International Monetary Fund, state media quoted the UAE's top financial official as saying on Sunday, Reuters reported. "The UAE support for Lagarde is based on the role she played while leading the finance ministry of the French republic, and her achievements," the UAE's state agency quoted Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid al-Tayer as saying. -- SPA