Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was arrested in New York City on accusations of sexually attacking a Manhattan hotel maid, it is reported Saturday.

IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a possible candidate for the French presidency, was detained for questioning in an alleged sexual assault on a maid at the Sofitel Hotel. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Three Port Authority detectives pulled Strauss-Kahn from his plane's first-class cabin at John F. Kennedy International Airport just two minutes before it was due to depart for Paris, according to reports of The New York Times and New York Post.

"Mr. Strauss-Kahn, a candidate for president of France, was taken off an Air France flight by officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and turned over to Manhattan detectives," The New York Times said, citing a Port Authority spokesman.

According to the Times, Strauss-Kahn was traveling alone and was not handcuffed during the apprehension.

It is reported that the alleged attack took place at a Times Square hotel earlier in the day and the New York Police Department (NYPD)officers are investigating the case.

The NYPD took Strauss-Kahn into custody, where he was "being questioned in connection with the sexual assault of a hotel chambermaid earlier this afternoon," said NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne, the department' s chief spokesman.

Strauss-Kahn, 62, is the leader of France's Socialist Party. He is the main rival to President Nicholas Sarkozy in the 2012 elections.

He is married to New York-born journalist Anne Sinclair. He took over the IMF in November 2007.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet