France's Chirac begins to bow out

Jacques Chirac was flanked by French veterans of World War II

Jacques Chirac has made his last major public appearance as French president at a ceremony to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

Mr Chirac paid his respects at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Next week he will formally hand over power to his younger rival and party colleague, Nicolas Sarkozy, the winner of last Sunday's presidential election.

Mr Chirac, 74, has been president of France since 1995.

His political career spans four decades.

He is the last French president to have been alive when World War II ended.

The president paid his respects on Victory in Europe day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany 62 years ago.

He was accompanied by French veterans of World War II and by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and Defence Minister Michel Alliot-Marie.

On Wednesday, President Chirac will hold his last meeting with his ministers at the Elysee Palace.

His successor-elect, Mr Sarkozy, is holidaying on a yacht in the Mediterranean.

Mr Sarkozy said he would avoid Tuesday morning's ceremony because he did not want to give the impression of "a republic with two heads".