At the end of a month-long trial, French prosecutors are demanding an 18-month suspended sentence and a maximum fine of 45,000 euros for former prime minister Dominique de Villepin.

The 55-year-old former leader is charged with conspiring, in 2004, to discredit his fellow party member and political rival Nicolas Sarkozy. At the time, Mr Sarkozy was hoping to become president of France.

Mr Sarkozy says Mr De Villepin was involved in the creation of a false list of the names of politicians who had accepted kickbacks from the sale of French warships to Taiwan. One of the names on the list was that of Mr Sarkozy.

The affair has been dubbed the 'Clearstream affair' after the Clearstream financial clearing house said to have received the kickbacks from the sale of the ships.

Mr De Villepin has denied the accusations.

Photo of Dominique de Villepin from Wikimedia Commons