French president Sarkozy and wife divorce

By Crispian Balmer and Sophie Louet

PARIS (Reuters) - President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia have divorced after 11 years of marriage, dealing a severe personal blow to the French leader just six months after he was elected to power.

Ending months of spiralling speculation about a deep marital rift, Sarkozy's spokesman issued a terse statement saying the pair were separating by mutual consent and would not discuss the issue any further. He later confirmed they were divorced.

The couple's lawyer said they had already seen a judge to formalise the split and had agreed financial terms.

"There was no problem, they resolved everything amicably," lawyer Michele Cahen told Europe 1 radio.

It was the first time in modern French history that a serving president has divorced his wife, and Sarkozy's reaction to the split will come under intense scrutiny.

He was still wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of his left hand when he waved to photographers on arrival in Lisbon on Thursday for the European Union summit.

Cecilia played a crucial role in his rise to power, serving as an adviser during his previous stints as interior and finance minister. Sarkozy himself vaunted their relationship, telling aides she was "the only non-negotiable part" of his career.

Her departure could affect more than his personal life.