"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," former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin told France's BFM television on Friday, minutes after hearing that his acquittal on charges of taking part in a smear campaign against his political rival would be appealed.

Paris state prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin told Europe-1 radio on Friday that the appeal could be heard later this year or in 2011.

Clearstream II

The decision paves the way for a second edition of the 'Clearstream' trial, in which Villepin stood accused of using fake documents as part of a plot to sabotage the campaign of his long-time rival Sarkozy to win the presidency in 2007, when both politicians were vying to succeed President Jacques Chirac.

Prosecutors in the trial had asked for a suspended jail sentence of 18 months and a 45,000 euro ($70,000) fine for Villepin, 56, on charges of complicity to slander Sarkozy.

Allegations about the alleged smear campaign date back to 2004. It centered on a list of account holders at the Luxembourg-based securities clearing house Clearstream who were alleged to have taken bribes from the sale of French warships to Taiwan. Sarkozy's name was on the list, which later turned out to have been fabricated.

Sarkozy had reportedly vowed to hang those responsible for the scandal by a "butcher's hook." After Villepin was acquitted, however, he said in a statement that he was satisfied by the verdict and would not appeal.

Villepin, who despite being prime minister has never held elected office, said on Thursday before hearing his acquittal would be appealed that he hoped to return to French politics and was considering running for the 2012 French presidency.

glb/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold