Ex- French president, Jacques Chirac dies at 86

Jacques Chirac, the former French president whose later years were blighted by corruption scandals, has died aged 86.

"President Jacques Chirac died this morning surrounded by his family, peacefully," his son-in-law told AFP.

Mr Chirac served two terms as French president and took his country into the single European currency.

The French National Assembly has observed a minute's silence in homage to him.