LILLE, France (AFP) - French former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn will face trial on pimping charges along with 12 others in connection with an alleged prostitution ring at a Lille hotel, the local prosecutors' office said on Friday.

Prosecutors had in June called for the charges of "aggravated pimping as part of an organised gang" against Strauss-Kahn to be dropped, but investigating magistrates have decided he should face trial.