Hours after Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned from his post as manager of the International Monetary Fund -- saying he felt compelled to focus his energy on the sexual assault charges he faces -- the French politician will try to get out of jail.

Behind bars on New York's Rikers Island since Monday, the beleaguered former IMF chief returned to a Manhattan courthouse Thursday to again ask for bail on charges he sexually assaulted a hotel maid -- a move seemed certain to face vigorous opposition by prosecutors.

Late Wednesday, Strauss-Kahn resigned as managing director of the International Monetary Fund, according to a letter released by its executive board.

In the letter, Strauss-Kahn denied the allegations but said he felt compelled to resign with "great sadness" because he was thinking of his family and also wanted to protect the IMF.

In court papers filed by his defense team Wednesday, Strauss-Kahn said he had surrendered his passport and wouldn't flee the country. His attorneys proposed posting $1 million cash bail and confining him to the home of his daughter, Camille, a Columbia University graduate student, 24 hours a day with electronic monitoring.