Sarkozy's Facebook page hacked: report

"Dear compatriots, given the exceptional circumstances our country is experiencing, I have decided in my spirit and conscience not to run for office again at the end of my mandate in 2012," said the fake message.

It meant that more than 350,000 "friends" of the French leader would have read about his plan to abandon the re-election race on what is meant to be a secure site, the Telegraph reported.

Many passed the message on to thousands of others when it appeared on Sunday night, meaning a buzz had soon been created on the World Wide Web, the report said.

There was also a reference to another Facebook page called "Farewell to Nicolas Sarkozy", suggesting that people meet outside Le Fouquet's restaurant in Paris on May 6, 2012 to celebrate his quitting his re-election plan.

Fouquets was the place where, the President celebrated his election victory with celebrity friends, including French singer Johnny Hallyday in 2007.

Sarkozy today replaced the false message with a real one, apologising for the security lapse and thanking friends and supporters for their loyalty.

Acknowledging that social networking websites are not secure, the suggested people to always be wary.

Sarkozy is one of the most unpopular presidents in French history as his approval ratings dropped to record-low over the last few months.