Sarkozy soap opera has sex, diamonds and rivalry

By Kerstin Gehmlich

PARIS (Reuters) - Sex, diamonds and rivalry swirl in the latest chapter of the soap opera gripping France -- the story of President Nicolas Sarkozy's love life.

Adding new spice to the unfolding tale, one magazine, Gala, said Sarkozy had offered the same kind of pink, heart-shaped, diamond ring to new girlfriend Carla Bruni as his ex-wife Cecilia had been seen wearing only a few months ago.

And Cecilia tried to block on Thursday the publication of one of three new books into her life that quoted her making a string of disparaging remarks about Sarkozy.

Sarkozy and Cecilia divorced abruptly in October and the president met Bruni, an Italian supermodel-turned-pop star, in November. The president hinted this week that the pair might soon wed and the speed of their romance has stunned France.

Pictures of a holidaying Sarkozy, 52, in gold necklace and sunglasses as he embraced Bruni, 40, have dominated glossy magazines, while newspapers devote their front pages to "President Bling-Bling" and his glamorous Italian lover.

Rumors abounded on Thursday that a secret marriage was imminent, but the former first lady Cecilia, 50, is not expected to vanish from the scene quietly.

"Cecilia is convinced that Carla Bruni is not the woman to make Sarkozy forget her that quickly," said Yves Derai, author of "Ruptures", one of the three books that delve into the life of the president's former wife.

"I'M THE ONE HE LISTENS TO"