ECB leaves its interest steady at 4 percent

The European Central Bank has left its interest steady at 4 percent, with the bank's president saying inflation is expected to remain high.

Britain's central bank also has kept its main rate unchanged. ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet has told reporters Thursday in Athens that the bank has left the rate unchanged in light of inflation in the 15-nation euro zone, which has risen has high as 3.6 percent this year before dipping back to 3.3 percent in April.

Trichet has said the decision is unanimous and in his comments, reinforced the bank's holding stance by leaving out the word "vigilance", a term that had, in the past, signified an impending rate decision. He has added that "vigilance" has not disappeared from the bank's vocabulary, and could be used when necessary.