French financial prosecutors have opened an investigation after an anti-corruption association filed a complaint against French President Emmanuel Macron's chief of staff.

The prosecutors' office said investigators will look into whether the rules related to conflicts of interest while in a public position have been respected.

The French association Anticor suspects Alexis Kohler, one of Mr Macron's closest aides, of influence-peddling and conflict of interest in relation to his ties to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Mr Kohler has family links to the Geneva-based cruise company.

He worked as a senior official in the finance ministry from 2014 to 2016.

Mr Kohler then became chief financial officer at MSC.

He joined Mr Macron's team following the May 2017 presidential election.

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