French Finance Minister Herve Gaymard submitted his resignation Friday following a strong criticism for him to use public funds to rent a luxury apartment. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    PARIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- French Finance Minister Herve Gaymard submitted his resignation Friday following a strong criticism for him to use public funds to rent a luxury apartment.

    "I have decided to hand to the prime minister my resignation as minister for economy, finance and industry," Gaymard said in a statement.

    "I am aware that I have made blunders, first of all a serious error of appreciation concerning the conditions of my state-paid a partment.I brought that situation to a close straightaway and will, as I have said, pay back any expenses that have been incurred," it said.

    Gaymard, 44, first came under fire last week when media reports revealed his family members were living in a euro 14,000-a-month (US$18,500-a-month) luxury apartment paid by the government. Enditem