**Prosecutors in France say they will appeal against the acquittal of ex-PM Dominique de Villepin for smearing his one-time rival Nicolas Sarkozy.**Mr de Villepin was accused of failing to stop the Clearstream corruption inquiry into Mr Sarkozy, despite knowing claims against him were false.
The judge said there was no proof Mr De Villepin had acted in bad faith.
He had been hoping to succeed Jacques Chirac as president, but Mr Sarkozy eventually won the 2007 poll.
Paris state prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin told French radio: "All has not emerged in this case. There is still scope for a part of the truth to emerge.
“Whatever happens, there will be a second trial.”