A French news website says it has filed a counter-lawsuit against President Nicolas Sarkozy for alleged slander.
Mediapart said on Wednesday that it stands by its reporting that prompted the conservative president to file suit for "forgery" and "publication of false news." Mediapart said Sarkozy's allegations amounted to slander.
Prosecutors are investigating Mediapart over its claims that it has evidence that Libya's late dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, offered campaign funds to Sarkozy. Sarkozy has vigorously denied the allegation.
News of the counter-suit came just hours before France's only presidential debate between Sarkozy and Socialist challenger Francois Hollande.
Under French law, presidents are immune from prosecution while in office. Sarkozy is lagging in the polls.