WASHINGTON, May 9 (Reuters) - The World Bank's board of member countries on Wednesday said it would give bank President Paul Wolfowitz more time to respond to findings of a panel that he broke rules in approving a promotion for his companion.

In a late night statement, the board said it would give him until Friday to respond to the findings, which Wolfowitz and his lawyer argued for under bank rules.

The board said it had communicated to Wolfowitz that he could then explain himself in person to them on Tuesday, May 15, when they would also reach a decision on his future at the World Bank.

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