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Ex-PM condemns Sarkozy 'hatred' Ex-PM condemns Sarkozy 'hatred'
(10 minutes later)
French ex-PM Dominique de Villepin has accused President Sarkozy of pursuing a vendetta against him, after prosecutors promised to appeal over his acquittal.French ex-PM Dominique de Villepin has accused President Sarkozy of pursuing a vendetta against him, after prosecutors promised to appeal over his acquittal.
Mr de Villepin was found not guilty on Thursday of having a role in a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy.Mr de Villepin was found not guilty on Thursday of having a role in a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy.
But the Paris state prosecutor said there was scope for an appeal as not all the facts of the case had emerged.But the Paris state prosecutor said there was scope for an appeal as not all the facts of the case had emerged.
The ex-PM, Mr Sarkozy's one-time rival for the presidency, said the president was acting out of "hatred".The ex-PM, Mr Sarkozy's one-time rival for the presidency, said the president was acting out of "hatred".
"This decision is a political decision and what it shows is that Nicolas Sarkozy, president of the Republic, prefers to continue in his relentlessness and hatred instead of assuming the responsibilities of his office," he told French TV."This decision is a political decision and what it shows is that Nicolas Sarkozy, president of the Republic, prefers to continue in his relentlessness and hatred instead of assuming the responsibilities of his office," he told French TV.
Minutes earlier, Paris state prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin announced the appeal, saying it was "surprising" that Mr de Villepin had been acquitted.Minutes earlier, Paris state prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin announced the appeal, saying it was "surprising" that Mr de Villepin had been acquitted.
He told French radio: "All has not emerged in this case. There is still scope for a part of the truth to emerge.He told French radio: "All has not emerged in this case. There is still scope for a part of the truth to emerge.
"Whatever happens, there will be a second trial.""Whatever happens, there will be a second trial."
Mr Marin added that the appeal could be heard later this year or early in 2011.Mr Marin added that the appeal could be heard later this year or early in 2011.
On Thursday Mr de Villepin was cleared of four counts of complicity to slander, to use forgeries, dealing in stolen property and breach of trust.On Thursday Mr de Villepin was cleared of four counts of complicity to slander, to use forgeries, dealing in stolen property and breach of trust.
Mr Sarkozy had promised he would "hang from a butcher's hook" for trying to smear his name.Mr Sarkozy had promised he would "hang from a butcher's hook" for trying to smear his name.
Bribe allegationsBribe allegations
In 2004, Mr Sarkozy's name appeared on a list of top politicians and businessmen who were wrongly linked to an illegal bank account in Luxembourg.In 2004, Mr Sarkozy's name appeared on a list of top politicians and businessmen who were wrongly linked to an illegal bank account in Luxembourg.
THE CLEARSTREAM VERDICTS Dominique de Villepin: Former PM, 55. Acquitted on charges of complicity in slander and forgeryJean-Louis Gergorin: Former EADS vice-president, 63. Sentenced to 15 months in jail and a fine of 40,000 euros (£34,500; $56,000) for slander and use of false documents. Admitted leaking the fake list to investigatorsImad Lahoud: Computer expert, 42. Sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 40,000 euros for slander and use of false documents. Confessed to adding Sarkozy's name to the listFlorian Bourges: Accountant, 31. Guilty of theft and breach of trust for obtaining the original Clearstream documents. Given a four-month suspended sentence.Denis Robert: Journalist and author who broke the story, 41. Acquitted of dealing in stolen property and breach of trust Victory sets up Villepin comeback Murky tale behind French PM's trial Arch rivals: Sarkozy v VillepinTHE CLEARSTREAM VERDICTS Dominique de Villepin: Former PM, 55. Acquitted on charges of complicity in slander and forgeryJean-Louis Gergorin: Former EADS vice-president, 63. Sentenced to 15 months in jail and a fine of 40,000 euros (£34,500; $56,000) for slander and use of false documents. Admitted leaking the fake list to investigatorsImad Lahoud: Computer expert, 42. Sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 40,000 euros for slander and use of false documents. Confessed to adding Sarkozy's name to the listFlorian Bourges: Accountant, 31. Guilty of theft and breach of trust for obtaining the original Clearstream documents. Given a four-month suspended sentence.Denis Robert: Journalist and author who broke the story, 41. Acquitted of dealing in stolen property and breach of trust Victory sets up Villepin comeback Murky tale behind French PM's trial Arch rivals: Sarkozy v Villepin
It was alleged those named on the list had received bribes from international arms sales.It was alleged those named on the list had received bribes from international arms sales.
The list was sent to people including Mr de Villepin, who was accused of failing to stop the conspiracy.The list was sent to people including Mr de Villepin, who was accused of failing to stop the conspiracy.
During the investigation, Mr de Villepin admitted he knew of the documents - but the court found no evidence to prove he had known they had been faked.During the investigation, Mr de Villepin admitted he knew of the documents - but the court found no evidence to prove he had known they had been faked.
At the trial, prosecutors had called for him to receive an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros (£39,000).At the trial, prosecutors had called for him to receive an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros (£39,000).
Three other defendants were convicted, including a former executive of the EADS aerospace group, Jean-Louis Gergorin, who admitted leaking the fake list to investigators, and Imad Lahoud, a computer specialist, who confessed to adding Mr Sarkozy's name to the list.Three other defendants were convicted, including a former executive of the EADS aerospace group, Jean-Louis Gergorin, who admitted leaking the fake list to investigators, and Imad Lahoud, a computer specialist, who confessed to adding Mr Sarkozy's name to the list.
Both men were fined 40,000 euros (£34,500; $56,000). Gergorin must serve 15 months in prison and Lahoud must serve 18 months.Both men were fined 40,000 euros (£34,500; $56,000). Gergorin must serve 15 months in prison and Lahoud must serve 18 months.
A fifth defendant was cleared.A fifth defendant was cleared.