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The probe relates to alleged Libyan funding for Mr Sarkozy's 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. He was summoned to a police station in Nanterre where he is being questioned over the allegations. This is the first time Mr Sarkozy has been spoken to by authorities in connection with the inquiry, which opened in 2013. Mr Sarkozy was however placed under formal examination in February 2016 over alleged illegal campaign funding in 2012.

GETTY Nicolas Sarkozy (C) leaves the Pole financier in Paris in February 2016

He can be held for up to 48 hours and presented to Magistrates Court for indictment immediately if police seek charges. France opened a judicial inquiry in 2013 into allegations he accepted €59million from late Moammer Gaddafi’s regime, claims which have been reported by French businessman Ziad Takieddine and the Libyan dictator’s son. But Mr Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has always denied receiving any illicit campaign funding and has dismissed the Libyan allegations as "grotesque". A lawyer for Mr Sarkozy could not be reached immediately for comment.

GETTY Sarkozy is alleged to have accepted €59million from late Moammer Gaddafi’s regime