Sarkozy 'about to divorce'

French president Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Cecilia are near to announcing their divorce, it was claimed today.

A French newspaper close to Mrs Sarkozy said the president's office would announce the separation later today.

L'Est Republicain, a regional paper in eastern France, is known for publishing the only interview with Mrs Sarkozy since her husband was elected.

Separate spokesmen for the president and his wife both declined to comment.

The report on the paper's website said said the couple would quickly file divorce papers.

Presidential spokesman David Martinon said he would make no comment on the report. Cecilia Sarkozy's spokeswoman, Carina Alfonso-Martin, said: "We can't comment on all rumours like that."

Mrs Sarkozy gave an interview to L'Est Republicain last month, the only interview she has given since her husband's election in May.

The couple has not been seen together publicly for weeks. But Mrs Sarkozy has kept a low profile before, including during the presidential campaign.

The Sarkozys' marriage survived a rough patch in the media glare two years ago when Mrs Sarkozy was photographed with another man in New York.

The couple reunited just in time for his presidential run.