PARIS, Feb 11 (Reuters) - France Telecom President Didier Lombard will stand down later this month to start up his own company, he said in remarks published on Friday.
"I will be handing over my powers as president of France Telecom on February 23," he said in interview with French economic daily La Tribune.
Lombard had been due to step down in June.
He was replaced last year as chief executive by Stephane Richard following a wave of company employees committing suicide. (Reporting by John Irish; editing by Matthew Jones)