Prague - A senior Czech government official Thursday criticized French President Nicolas Sarkozy's reported efforts to boost the eurozone's influence in 2009 at the expense of countries presiding over the larger European Union.

Sarkozy is seeking to stay in control of European economic policy for at least a year, arguing that he is the only leader suitable for the task of steering Europe through the global financial crisis, the Le Monde newspaper reported Wednesday.

Paris  - French shares were down in late Thursday trading in the wake of overnight losses on Wall Street and Asian markets.

By mid-afternoon, the Paris Bourse's CAC 40 index had given up 1.49 per cent, falling to 3,240.07, with losers outpacing gainers by about 5 to 1.

President Nicolas Sarkozy's announcement, earlier Thursday, that the government would establish a fund to support struggling strategic companies appeared to have had little effect on share prices.

Transportation shares were hardest-hit, with transport equipment manufacturer Alstom losing 10.05 per cent, to 34.72 euros.

Paris - The French government will establish an investment fund to support the country's strategic enterprises affected by the economic crisis, President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday in Argonay, near the Alpine resort of Annecy.

The fund will make available loans to struggling companies in exchange for shares, which will be sold, presumably at a profit, once the company has stabilized.

The aim of the fund, Sarkozy said, will be to protect strategic companies "from predators looking to profit from a firm's undervaluation" to take control of it.

Paris- The French government will establish an investment fund to support the country's strategic enterprises affected by the economic crisis, President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday in the city of Annecy.

The fund will make available loans to struggling companies in exchange for shares, which will be sold, presumably at a profit, once the company has stabilized.

Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is going to court to force a French publisher to take off the market a voodoo doll in his image, French media reported on Thursday.

The doll, 20,000 of which went on sale on October 9, comes with a manual and a dozen pins that can be stuck through well-known quotes of his - such as "Work more and earn more," or "Bugger off, you ass" - which are printed on the doll.