Strauss-Kahn French rape case dismissed

The Paris prosecutor's office has dropped an investigation into a French writer's claim that Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, tried to rape her for lack of sufficient evidence.

The office said on Thursday that Strauss-Kahn admitted to sexual aggression against Tristane Banon and that evidence existed suggesting that a sexual assault had taken place, but that it was too late to prosecute.

In France, charges of sexual assault carry a shorter statute of limitations than attempted rape.

Banon alleges that Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her in 2003 during an interview for a book. Strauss-Kahn has denied the claim.

Al Jazeera's Tim Friend reports from Paris.