Profile: Dominique de Villepin

A UK newspaper described Mr de Villepin as a "diplomatic pin-up"

France's new Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, is best known for leading the charge against US policy in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.

The silver-haired politician, once referred to as a "diplomatic pin-up" by a newspaper, cuts a dashing figure in the often grey world of French politics.

After a stint as foreign minister at the Quai d'Orsay, Mr de Villepin was appointed interior minister in March 2004 and tackled radical Islam head-on.

His crackdown on militancy has included tighter security controls and making it a requirement for the country's imams to take courses on the language, laws and customs of France.

"We need a strong policy to combat radical Islam," he said in December 2004.

"It is used as a breeding-ground for terrorism. We cannot afford not to watch them very closely."

He unveiled a raft of anti-immigration measures which proved popular in France, including an "immigration police force" and tighter visa regulations.

But his profile was at its highest in February 2003, when as foreign minister he led the international opposition to US plans to invade Iraq.

"Let us not forget that after winning the war, we must build the peace," he told the United Nations Security Council.

He received the rare distinction of being applauded following his speech.

Chirac confidant

BIOGRAPHY Born 14 November 1953 Degree: Arts and Law Ecole Nationale d'Administration graduate 1980-84: Foreign ministry - African and Malagasy affairs 1984-89: French embassy in Washington 1989-92: French embassy in Delhi 1992-93: Foreign ministry - African and Malagasy affairs 1993-95: Chief of staff of the minister of foreign affairs 1995-02: Secretary general of the presidency June 02: Appointed foreign minister March 04: Appointed interior minister

He was one of the president's closest confidants as secretary general of the presidency - a post he took up in 1995 after Jacques Chirac was first elected.

That said, he is widely held responsible for Mr Chirac's 1997 dissolution of parliament which brought a Socialist-led government to power and began five years of "cohabitation" with the left.

Counting against him, say his critics, are the facts that he has never stood for elected office and that he commands little party support.

But Mr Chirac has praised Mr de Villepin's quickness of thought, reportedly once saying: "De Villepin catches on with fantastic speed. It is rare to meet a man like him."

Philippe Moreaux Defarge of the Institute for International Relations says Mr Chirac sees Mr de Villepin almost as a close family member.

"It could be seen as a relationship between a bigger and a younger brother," Mr Defarge has said.

"Someone like Mr Chirac is quite lonely. He has no son. He has two daughters, but no son."

However, among members of parliament, Mr de Villepin's perceived arrogance has reportedly made him unpopular.

A career diplomat, Mr de Villepin graduated from the prestigious Ecole Nationale d'Administration and served in Delhi and twice in Washington.

The son of a French politician, he is also a self-published poet and author of several books about contemporary French culture and a biography of Napoleon.