The World Bank said Friday it would select a new president to succeed Robert Zoellick by April 20, the start of the World Bank and IMF's spring meetings in Washington.

But even as the huge development lender set out what it said would be "a merit-based and transparent process" to choose its 12th head from among candidates from around the world, it appeared all but certain to be filled by an American.

U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday his administration was headed toward fulfilling its commitment of doubling U.S. exports over five years and promised to reward businesses that created jobs at home with tax breaks.

"Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years," the president said in his weekly radio and Internet address. "And we're on track to meet that goal - ahead of schedule."

The trial in a $2.6 billion dollar banking fraud case that the Iranian media describe as the country's biggest ever opened on Saturday with some of the 32 accused facing possible death sentences.

The accused were charged with involvement in taking bribes and financial corruption, Iranian media reported.

Egypt has promised to provide diesel fuel for the Gaza Strip's sole power plant, which went down this week after running out of fuel, a Gaza official said on Saturday.

"Following our contacts with Egyptian officials, there have been serious promises to furnish us fuel from tomorrow (Sunday)," said Ahmad Abu al-Amrin, from the Gaza energy authority.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will hold a conference call on Friday to discuss the sovereign debt crisis, Italy said.

"On the initiative of Prime Minister Monti, the three-way phone conversation will take place today in the late morning," the government said in a statement.

Germany expects Eurozone finance ministers to take a decision on aid for debt-wracked Greece on Monday, a spokesman said, but stressed some details remained over the efforts Athens still needs to make.

"We are coming ever closer to a final basis for a decision on Monday but, as you know from the statement of Eurogroup chairman Jean-Claude Juncker, there are still details to be cleared up," said a finance ministry spokesman.

Brent oil prices hit an eight-month high on Friday, driven by simmering geopolitical tensions over key crude producer Iran and optimism the Greek debt crisis can be resolved, traders said.

Brent North Sea crude for April delivery hit $120.70 per barrel, its highest point since June 14. It later pulled back to $119.84, down 27 cents from Thursday's closing level.

Spanish high-street clothing chain Mango has opened its first store in Sri Lanka, expanding its worldwide presence to a total of 106 countries, it said on Friday.

"Mango is pursuing its international expansion and staying true to its aim of being present in each of the main cities in the world with the opening of its first store in Sri Lanka," in the capital Colombo, it said in a statement.

French banking giant Societe Generale said Thursday its 2011 net profit slumped 39 percent after taking provisions of 890 million euros on its Greek exposure and a weaker investment bank performance.

Net profit for the year came in at 2.38 billion euros ($3.70 billion), well below analyst estimates for 2.72 billion euros.

World oil prices spiked on Wednesday after Iran warned that it may suspend crude exports to six European Union countries amid escalating tensions over Tehran's nuclear program.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude for delivery in March, climbed $1.06 to close at $101.80 a barrel.