Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang has tendered his resignation as head of the Arab World Institute (IMA) amid mounting criticism over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Lang, 86, was summoned for questioning by the French Foreign Ministry on Thursday following the public disclosure of documents linking him to Epstein's offshore fund.

According to France Info, Lang offered his resignation at the next board meeting in a letter to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday, saying the move was intended to "preserve" the institution in a climate marked by what he described as "personal attacks."

While Lang denies any wrongdoing and maintains he was unaware of Epstein's criminal history when they met through Woody Allen about 15 years ago, calls for his resignation have grown, including from members of his own Socialist Party.

Critics say his continued leadership threatens the reputation of the IMA, which operates under the Foreign Ministry's oversight. Lang's name appeared more than 670 times in Epstein-linked documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30.

Lang's daughter, Caroline, resigned from her position as head of the Independent Production Union after her own connections to Epstein surfaced in related offshore company filings, further intensifying public scrutiny of the family.

Founded in 1987, the IMA promotes cultural and academic exchange between France and the Arab world. It relies on the French Foreign Ministry for about half its budget. Lang has been president since 2013.