Moftah Missouri, Gaddafi's chief interpreter, told The Associated Press that he attended a meeting in 2005 between France's then-Interior Minister Sarkozy and Gaddafi.
Missouri, who is now living in exile in Tunisia, said over the phone that Gaddafi told Sarkozy during the meeting that he's "pleased to have a friend like you as a president of France."
According to Missouri, Gaddafi also told Sarkozy, "We will help you if you run in the election."
Sarkozy's lawyer and spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.