France's Chirac backs Sarkozy's presidential bid

Paris, Mar 21: French President Jacques Chirac threw his weight behind his party's presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy today, overcoming hostility between the two in a move that could bolster the right's campaign.

Chirac also said that Sarkozy would leave his post as interior minister on March 26, an announcement that had been expected after he said he would leave the centre-right government ahead of the first round of the election on April 22.

Chirac said Sarkozy's candidature should have the full backing of the ruling UMP party.

''So it is totally natural that I give him my vote and my support,'' he said in a televised statement.

Sarkozy heads the UMP party and used to be a Chirac protege until the pair fell out over a decade ago.

Chirac will step down after 12 years in office following the second round of the election in May but had maintained suspense over whether he would back Sarkozy's campaign.

Sarkozy had indicated he was expecting Chirac's support and failure to secure the president's endorsement could have damaged his credentials as the right's candidate.

Reuters