Is Sarkozy's brother French minister's baby's mystery father?

Melbourne, Jan 6 (ANI): Francois Sarkozy, the younger brother of French President, has become the latest figure to be named as a possible father of justice minister Rachida Dati's new baby.

Francois, 47, visited the mother and child at a Paris clinic on Sunday night, fuelling persistent although unconfirmed claims that he was le pere.

The pharmaceutical industrialist is reported to have spent Christmas with Dati at his mother's home, reports News.com.au.

Their liaison, if confirmed, may explain why the President appears reluctant to sack his controversial 43-year-old minister, despite criticism of her performance at the Justice Ministry.

Francois is the latest in a string of top names circulating in France being mooted as 42-year-old Dati's mystery lover.

Others on the paternity hit list include President Sarkozy himself, with whom the politician was romantically linked before he met his wife Carla Bruni.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Maria Aznar, ex-boyfriend and businessman Henri Proglio, Barrière hotel and casino chief Dominique Desseigne and a French television host have also been named as potential suspects.

Dati gave birth by caesarean section to Zohra on Friday. (ANI)