French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin (AFP file photo)

    PARIS, May 31 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the presidency announced.

    The president also appointed Dominique de Villepin as the new prime minister.

French interior minister Dominique de Villepin arrives at the Elysee palace in Paris Tuesday, May 31, 2005, where he was named Prime Minister by French President Jacques Chirac. (AP photo)

    Raffarin, 56, was widely expected to leave office after French voted "No" in Sunday's referendum on the EU constitutional treaty.Enditem