PARIS - PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy has added a new minister to his government, assigned to put into action a euro26 billion (S$50.2 billion) stimulus plan announced this week to ward off recession.

Mr Patrick Devedjian, who has headed Mr Sarkozy's conservative party, the UMP, was named to the post. When the president announced the plan Thursday, he specified a minister would be named to execute it.

A day later, on Friday, Mr Sarkozy named his longtime ally Devedjian.

He'll leave his post as party chief this month.

The two-year stimulus plan includes funds to help carmakers avoid layoffs. But much of the money is for the construction industry.

The funds are part of a euro200 billion package proposed by the European Commission to boost the economy. -- AP