Nicholas Sarkozy takes French presidency
Pakistan Times Wire Service

PARIS (France): Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy has won the hotly-contested French presidential election, according to early results.

The final count gave Mr Sarkozy 53.06%, compared with 46.94% for socialist Segolene Royal, with turnout at 85%.

Mr Sarkozy, 52, the son of a Hungarian immigrant, takes over from the 74-year-old Jacques Chirac.●