French ex-FM Fabius says will quit as head of UN climate forum

Former French foreign minister Laurent Fabius will step down as head of COP21, the UN's climate forum, after being appointed head of France's constitutional court, according to a resignation letter seen by AFP.

Fabius wrote on Monday to President Francois Hollande "to tender (his) resignation" as head of COP21, a post in which he helped to steer the troubled UN climate talks to a successful conclusion last December.

Fabius had expected to stay in the one-year post until November but drew flak in the French political arena for seeking to hold on to two demanding jobs at the same time.