Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has taken the stand in a Paris court, denying any role in a plot to discredit President Nicolas Sarkozy.
It is alleged that Mr de Villepin tried to manipulate a judicial investigation to hurt Mr Sarkozy's chances of winning the 2007 presidential election.
In court, Mr de Villepin categorically denied sending forged documents to a French judge to implicate Mr Sarkozy.
He also said ex-President Jacques Chirac played no part in any smear bid. read more
