IMF sees risk of credit crisis worsening

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The global credit crisis could intensify, and world central banks must be ready to consider a wide range of actions to safeguard the economy, an International Monetary Fund official said on Wednesday.

"By now, there is little doubt that risks of further escalation of this crisis are rising and decisive policy action will be required to put the global financial system and economy on a firmer footing," John Lipsky, first deputy managing director of the IMF, said in prepared remarks.

He said monetary policy alone may not be enough, and all options -- including the use of public funds -- should be considered.

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton and Emily Kaiser, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)