Sarkozy sues website on Gaddafi claim

The French leader dismissed as a “crude forgery” a document published by left-wing website Mediapart alleging that the former Libyan dictator agreed to give 50 million euros (66 million USD) to Sarkozy’s campaign in 2007.

“We will file a suit against Mediapart… This document is a crude forgery, the two people supposed to have sent and received this document have dismissed it,” Sarkozy told France 2 television on Monday.

Mediapart said the agreement followed a meeting on October 6, 2006, attended by Gaddafi’s spy chief Abdullah Senussi, the head of Tripoli’s African investment fund Bashir Saleh, close Sarkozy associate Brice Hortefeux and arms dealer Ziad Takieddine.

“There’s a section of the press, of the media, and notably the site in question whose name I refuse to mention, that is prepared to fake documents. Shame on those who have exploited them,” Sarkozy added.

The allegation leveled against Sarkozy is deemed to be a hard blow to his last-ditch efforts to woo uncertain voters in the final crucial week before the run-off elections.

A preliminary inquiry into the claims has been opened following Sarkozy’s complaint.

The embattled president and his rival Francois Hollande of Socialist Party have stepped up heir campaigns in an effort to garner support of undecided voters.

However, polls show that Sarkozy will lose the May 6 run-off to Hollande, who was ahead of Sarkozy in the first round of elections.

Experts say Hollande can take advantage of criticisms leveled at Sarkozy over his tough language toward immigrants.

AO/MA

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