U.S. dollar still premier intl currency – Bernanke

The U.S. dollar remains the premier international currency and its safe-haven status has seen it appreciating rapidly during the financial crisis, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday.

Responding to a question during a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, Bernanke said the dollar system was not dead.

"We have seen a vivid appreciation in the dollar recently during the crisis precisely because there has been a lot of interest in the safe-haven and liquidity in dollar markets," Bernanke said.

"The Federal Reserve has been engaged in swap agreements to make sure there is enough dollar liquidity in other countries because the need for dollars is so strong. I think the dollar system remains quite strong."