Economy hogs the Davos spotlight during annual summit of the elite

DAVOS, Switzerland » The fragile state of the world economy, along with the relentless turmoil in Syria and the rocky fallout from the Arab Spring, dominated discussions during this year’s annual gathering of the global elite at Davos, leaving many participants uneasy about what lies ahead as they left for home Sunday.

Even broad agreement over some positive signs on the economic front was coupled with a warning from the head of the International Monetary Fund. "Do not relax," Christine Lagarde said. There’s still a "risk of relapse."

Political and economic issues vie for top billing each year at Davos, but the economy had the edge among the more than 2,500 attendees this year. A special focus was on ways to promote economic growth and jobs, especially among youths.

Lagarde said the "very fragile and timid recovery" depends on leaders in the 17-nation eurozone, the United States and Japan making "the right decisions." The eurozone in particular "is fragile because it is prone to political crisis" and slow decision-making, she said.