French ex-president Sarkozy stripped of Legion of Honour

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of his Legion of Honour -- the country's highest distinction -- following a conviction for graft, according to a decree published Sunday. The right-wing ex-president ruled France from 2007-2012 and has been beset by legal problems since leaving office.

Sarkozy, whose electronic tag was removed this month, is using his last remaining legal avenue, an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, to defend himself against the conviction. He is currently on trial in a separate case on charges of accepting illegal campaign financing. The court is to give a verdict in September with prosecutors asking for a seven-year prison term for Sarkozy, who denies the charges.