France's PM asked to form new government

France has been thrown into fresh crisis after President Francois Hollande asked his prime minister to form a new government today.

The president ordered Prime Minister Manuel Valls to form a new cabinet "consistent with the direction he has set for the country," the presidency said in a statement.

It did not give any reasons, but the move comes after Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg spent his weekend bad-mouthing the country's economic direction and ally Germany in a much-criticised show of insubordination.

While Mr Valls himself has not reacted, his entourage said Sunday that Mr Montebourg had crossed a line.

The presidency said the new cabinet line-up would be announced on Tuesday.

More to come.