France: Former President Sarkozy to Face Trial for Corruption, Influence Peddling

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will face trial on charges he misused his influence to secure details of an inquiry into alleged irregularities in his 2007 election campaign according to reports in the French media.

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The case came about after investigators used phone-taps to examine separate allegations that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi funded Sarkozy's campaign and began to suspect he had kept tabs on the case through a network of informants.

In the phone calls, Mr. Sarkozy is said to have used an alias - Paul Bismuth - and offered a prestigious role in Monaco to French magistrate Gilbert Azibert in exchange for information on the financing case.

Azibert and Mr. Sarkozy's lawyer are also expected to stand trial.