France's centrist party to rally behind Fillon - lawmaker

Francois Fillon, former French Prime Minister, member of the Republicans political party and 2017 presidential election candidate of the French centre-right delivers his speech at a campaign rally in Orleans, France, March 7, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - France's centrist UDI party hinted on Tuesday it could back Francois Fillon's presidential bid, but said it first wanted to see him take concrete steps to unite his much-divided camp.

Earlier on Tuesday, a top UDI lawmaker said the party - which last week suspended its participation in Fillon's campaign over a financial scandal and called for a change of candidate - would rally behind Fillon.