France's Hollande attacks report of affair with actress Julie Gayet

"French President Francois Hollande says he is considering suing a magazine which claimed he was having an affair with actress Julie Gayet."

You can't consider that lawsuit to be a denial. In France, a lawsuit against a newspaper is not tantamount to an accusation of libel. An individual there may sue a newspaper for publishing stories about one's private life without one's express permission, whether true or not.

"Closer's story shows pictures it claims support rumours that the 59-year-old president routinely spends the night with Ms Gayet at a flat not far from the Elysee Palace."

Closer has removed the story from their website at Gayet's request.