Sarkozy accepts French govt.'s resignation

PARIS: France's President Nicolas Sarkozy accepted the resignations of Prime Minister Francois Fillon and of his cabinet on Saturday, paving the way for a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle.

The government's resignation is a traditional formality, allowing the head of state to pick new ministers without having to fire his existing team.

Sarkozy first signalled in March that he plans to renew his cabinet, and there has been mounting political tension in recent months as his supporters jostle for places in the run-up to his expected 2012 re-election bid.