ECB leaves interest rates unchanged.

The European Central Bank (ECB) following a meeting of its Governing Council today said it has decided to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at an historic low of 1%.

It is the ninth consecutive month the bank has left the rate on hold, and the decision was widely expected.

"The interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively," the ECB said in a statement.

ECB President Jean Claude Trichet is to comment on the decision at a press conference later.