French ministers resign after spending scandals

PARIS - Two French government ministers resigned over scandals which included a 12,000-euro ($15,000) bill for cigars and a 117,000-euro private jet trip, the Elysee Palace said late Sunday.

President Nicholas Sarkozy had accepted the resignations of Alain Joyandet, secretary of state for cooperation, and Christian Blanc, in charge of a new transport system for Paris, the palace said.

Blanc had caused controversy by presenting the state with a bill for 12,000 euros for a years-worth of cigars. Only when it became widely known did he repay part of the money.

Joyandet made the headlines by spending 117,000 euros on a private jet to fly him to Martinique for a conference on Haiti.

The two may have anticipated their dismissal as Sarkozy last week announced a cabinet shuffle planned for October.