The French foreign minister has announced her resignation following weeks of criticism over her contacts with the toppled Tunisian regime

The French foreign minister has announced her resignation following weeks of criticism over her contacts with the toppled Tunisian regime.
Michele Alliot-Marie urged President Nicolas Sarkozy to accept her handwritten resignation although she had not committed any wrongdoing, AFP reported. She complained about the harassment her family suffered from the media for the last two weeks. "While I do not feel that I have committed any wrongdoing, I have ... decided to leave my job as foreign minister," Alliot-Marie wrote in her resignation letter to Sarkozy.

There is speculation that she will be replaced by Defense Minister Alain Juppe who had served as France's top diplomat from 1993 to 1995.

Alliot-Marie sparked controversy after she suggested that French riot police could help restore order during the Tunisian 'Jasmine Revolution.'

Media reports revealed that she had flown free of charge in a plane owned by Tunisian business tycoon Aziz Miled shortly before the popular uprising in Tunisia, which saw the overthrow of President Ben Ali.

Other reports revealed that the parents of Alliot-Marie bought shares of a construction company owned by Miled.

Her actions had caused public backlash and opposition parties called for her resignation.

Faced with rising criticism, she announced: "When I am on holiday, I am not foreign minister."

Later on Sunday, Sarkozy announced a cabinet reshuffle.