Former French PM's trial to start

The former French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, goes on trial on Monday charged with plotting to discredit President Nicolas Sarkozy, BBC reported.

It is alleged that Mr Villepin tried to manipulate a judicial investigation to hurt Mr Sarkozy's chances of winning the 2007 presidential election.

If found guilty, Mr Villepin could face up to five years in jail and a 45,000 euro (£41,000) fine.

The former prime minister denies any wrongdoing.

The case dates back five years, when Nicolas Sarkozy's name appeared on a list of top politicians and businessmen sent to Mr Villepin.

It was alleged those named on the list had received bribes from international arms sales.

When a judge concluded the listings were false, the focus of the investigation quickly became who was behind the spurious allegations, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.

Magistrates want to know whether that person was Mr Villepin, and whether he attempted to conduct a smear campaign against Mr Sarkozy to spoil his chances of winning the presidential election.

Mr Villepin was questioned over the so-called "Clearstream affair" in December 2006 and has been under investigation since 2007.

The name comes from the Luxembourg bank where the individuals on the list - which included Mr Sarkozy - were supposed to be account holders.

Mr Sarkozy is a plaintiff in the trial but as president will not have to testify.

The hearing is expected to last at least four weeks, but a verdict is not expected until several months later.

Mr de Villepin and Mr Sarkozy were both ministers under President Jacques Chirac, but were intense rivals.

Mr de Villepin was preferred by Mr Chirac, but it was Mr Sarkozy who won party support to succeed the president.