France’s ex-leader Sarkozy visited Macron last week before prison

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy attends a meeting in Asnieres, outside Paris, March 24 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

France’s ex-leader Nicolas Sarkozy last week visited President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace just days before starting his prison sentence, a source within government told AFP on Monday.

“He was hosted on Friday,” the source said, without providing further details.

Sarkozy is to be jailed Tuesday over a scheme to acquire Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential run, becoming the first former head of a European Union country to serve time behind bars.

Macron defended the decision during a Monday summit of EU Mediterranean leaders in Slovenia.

“It was normal, on a human level, for me to receive one of my predecessors in this context,” Macron said.

Sarkozy, France’s right-wing leader from 2007 to 2012, was convicted in late September of criminal conspiracy over a plan for late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi to fund his electoral campaign.

He has faced a flurry of legal woes since losing re-election in 2012.

But Sarkozy still enjoys some popularity on the French right.

Sarkozy’s family have called for supporters to show solidarity with the former head of state as he leaves his home in Paris for La Sante prison on Tuesday morning.

His lawyers are expected to immediately file a motion for his release.