Charlie Hebdo suffers post-attack divisions, departure

Top cartoonist of the weekly is leaving because of the emotional burden after terrorists killed his colleagues

French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo is facing new problems, with a top cartoonist leaving because of the emotional burden after terrorists killed his colleagues, and divisions over how to use donations from around the world.

Cartoonist Renald Luzier, who drew the newspaper's first cover after the January 7 attack killed 12 people, said in an interview today in the daily Liberation that each issue is "torture, because the others are no longer there." He will leave in September.

Charlie Hebdo was criticised for its controversial drawings.

Meanwhile, the long-struggling paper's editorial staff and management disagree over the 4.3 million euros in donations received since January. The editor and publisher said a special commission will determine how to use it.