French President Jacques Chirac has ruled out any form of television debate with his far-right election rival Mr Jean-Marie Le Pen, saying he would have nothing to do with him.
Mr Le Pen, the shock qualifier for a May 5th runoff in France's presidential election, has challenged conservative incumbent President Chirac to a head-on televised debate since he surged into second place in the first round of voting last Sunday.
"You must have the courage of your convictions and the steadfastness of your commitments," President Chirac told a campaign rally in Rennes, western France.
"Just as I did not accept any alliance in the past with the National Front, whatever the political price, I will not accept a debate with its leader in the future," he said.
Mr Le Pen, who scored nearly 17 per cent of the vote on Sunday, has seized on corruption allegations dogging President Chirac and appeared certain to argue that his refusal to face him on television was made out of fear.