BRASILIA - South Africa turned to Brazil Thursday requesting support for former South African finance minister Trevor Manuel's bid for the directorship of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

South African Preisdent Jacob Zuma made the appeal during a phone call with his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff, said Brazilian presidential spokesman Rodrigo Baena.

Zuma, who said he had discussed the issue with other major developing countries, also told Rousseff that he favors the greater participation of developing countries in the IMF.

Rousseff, for her part, said Brazil wouldn't make the decision till all candidates are listed.

Previous to Zuma's call, France and Mexico had already sought Brazil's support for their respective candidates for the top IMF post.

Several potential candidates have emerged in a bid to succeed disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, including French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and Mexican central bank governor Agustin Carstens.

The Washington-based IMF had said the final decision will be made by June 30.