Dollar rises ahead of Greek confidence vote

The dollar rose against most other currencies Friday after the Labor Department raised its estimates of job growth. Turmoil in Greece that could jeopardize Europe's plans for containing its debt crisis also drove the dollar higher, AP reported. Traders are watching a critical confidence vote taking place Friday for Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou that could determine whether he stays in office. The country's uncertain political future could delay Europe's debt plan and may force Greece into a disorderly default that could hurt the global economy. Papandreou is fighting for his job after his surprise announcement earlier this week that he would put the latest European debt deal to a public vote. He scrapped that plan Thursday following fierce opposition from other European leaders. The euro fell to $1.3749 as of 1 p.m. (1700 GMT), compared with $1.3834 late Thursday. The British pound fell to $1.5970 from $1.6041. In the U.S., a report that the economy added jobs in October eased fears of a new recession and helped strengthen the dollar. The Labor Department said 80,000 jobs were added in October. The unemployment rate fell to 9 percent from 9.1 percent. The government also said 102,000 more jobs were added in August and September than first reported.