ECB must remain cautious given 'exceptional' global events, says Makhlouf

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The European Central Bank must remain cautious about its next interest rate move given "exceptional" global events, even though inflation is moving in the right direction, governing council member Gabriel Makhlouf said on Monday.

"We do need to be cautious about changes to our monetary policy stance where we're not yet at (inflation) target, and when quite exceptional events are happening around the world which could have a direct effect on inflation,” Makhlouf told reporters in Dublin.

"So I remain cautious about how we move from our current stance," he said, adding that he would not comment on the likelihood of another rate cut in April.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin, Editing by Sachin Ravikumar)