Paris, May 2 (Reuters): France’s Dominique de Villepin today ruled out resigning over a political smear campaign, the latest worry for a Prime Minister weakened in recent months by student protests.

French media have been speculating for days that Villepin might have to step down over the so-called Clearstream affair, which apparently aimed to discredit his main rival for a 2007 presidential election, interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy.

“Nothing will turn me away from my duties as Prime Minister,” said Villepin.