Post date: Dec 11, 2012 12:44:2 PM
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy gives his first public speech since losing the May 2012 election.
DOHA, QATAR (DECEMBER 11, 2012) (REUTERS) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a rare public appearance on Tuesday (December 11) speaking at the Doha Goals conference in Qatar.
Since losing the presidential election in May the former head of state has not spoken publicly but gave a speech about the role of sport during which he praised the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar."I have applauded the choice, I supported the choice, with others I wanted this choice to be made. Why? Because we needed to wait until the 21st century for a Muslim country to organise an event of this importance for the first time," he told an audience of foreign and sporting dignitaries.
Amongst the other speakers were the Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and the president of FIFA Sepp Blatter.