Sarkozy: 'i will quit politics'

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DEFEATED PRESIDENT 'TAKES RESPONSIBILITY' AS HE SAYS HE WILL BECOME 'AN ORDINARY FRENCHMAN AMONG OTHERS' DEFEATED president Nicolas Sarkozy has told his closest


colleagues he is quitting politics and will not lead his UMP party into the June National Assembly elections. He said he would become "an ordinary Frenchman among others" and added


that his "involvement in the life of my country will now be different". Speaking 20 minutes after the polls closed he "took responsibility for defeat" as he spoke to


supporters and said: "François Hollande is the president of France and he must be respected." He called Hollande to congratulate him on his win and wished him "the best of


luck in the challenges that lie ahead". Sarkozy is due to leave office on May 15.