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Francois Hollande arrives in US for state visit to Obama Francois Hollande arrives in US for state visit to Obama
(about 2 hours later)
French President Francois Hollande has arrived in the US for a state visit, as he and President Barack Obama tout their co-operation on issues from Iran to trade and climate change.French President Francois Hollande has arrived in the US for a state visit, as he and President Barack Obama tout their co-operation on issues from Iran to trade and climate change.
In articles published jointly in US and French newspapers, they said "our deepening partnership offers a model for international cooperation".In articles published jointly in US and French newspapers, they said "our deepening partnership offers a model for international cooperation".
A state dinner will be held on Tuesday.A state dinner will be held on Tuesday.
The trip comes as Mr Hollande is mired in low approval ratings at home and a personal scandal.The trip comes as Mr Hollande is mired in low approval ratings at home and a personal scandal.
After Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia, the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France, and the third US president.After Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia, the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France, and the third US president.
'Transformed''Transformed'
The two toured Jefferson's former home, stopping by his study, the kitchen and the quarters of slaves who helped build and run the estates.
In remarks after their tour, Mr Hollande said Monticello was a symbol of US-French relations "because here [Marquis de] Lafayette was welcomed".
He was referring to a French aristocrat who served in the Continental Army, which defeated the British and won American independence.
The US president said the visit was an opportunity to reflect on the history of US-French relations.
"Tomorrow we have the opportunity to talk about our current bond... and how we can strengthen our alliance further," Mr Obama said.
In articles published jointly in the Washington Post and Le Monde, the Western leaders hailed their joint efforts in the Middle East, including negotiations with Iran that led to an interim agreement on its disputed nuclear programme, and in Syria, where they said their threat of force had "paved the way for the plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons".In articles published jointly in the Washington Post and Le Monde, the Western leaders hailed their joint efforts in the Middle East, including negotiations with Iran that led to an interim agreement on its disputed nuclear programme, and in Syria, where they said their threat of force had "paved the way for the plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons".
Mr Obama and Mr Holland also urged action to combat climate change, writing their countries could "expand the clean energy partnerships that create jobs and move us toward low-carbon growth".Mr Obama and Mr Holland also urged action to combat climate change, writing their countries could "expand the clean energy partnerships that create jobs and move us toward low-carbon growth".
The presidents requested support for a deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions "through concrete actions", at a climate conference in Paris next year.
Ties between the two nations have warmed considerably since France refused to support the US-led invasion of Iraq under President George W Bush - something directly noted in the opinion piece.Ties between the two nations have warmed considerably since France refused to support the US-led invasion of Iraq under President George W Bush - something directly noted in the opinion piece.
With rancour over the Iraq War a fading memory, the two countries now find themselves largely in step on a wide range of issues.With rancour over the Iraq War a fading memory, the two countries now find themselves largely in step on a wide range of issues.
Home and abroad But the run-up to the visit has been overshadowed by Mr Hollande's personal situation.
Mr Hollande also has more immediate domestic concerns he might hope to address with his trip.
He will hope the first full state visit afforded to a French president since 1996 will bolster his dismal poll ratings, says the BBC's Christian Fraser.
Mr Hollande's approval ratings are stuck at barely 20% and doubts persist over his ability to kick-start the French economy.
It is the first state visit to the US by any head of state since the South Korean president's in 2011.
The run-up to the visit has been overshadowed by Mr Hollande's personal situation.
His long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler is not joining him after the breakdown in their relationship following accusations of an affair.His long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler is not joining him after the breakdown in their relationship following accusations of an affair.
The invitations to Tuesday night's formal White House dinner had to be destroyed and re-printed in the wake of the separation. Ms Trierweiler is now reportedly on holiday on an Indian Ocean island.The invitations to Tuesday night's formal White House dinner had to be destroyed and re-printed in the wake of the separation. Ms Trierweiler is now reportedly on holiday on an Indian Ocean island.
'On notice''On notice'
There may also be some awkward questions for Mr Hollande on Iran. Last week more than 100 French business executives, including delegates from oil major Total and car manufacturer Renault, travelled to Tehran, hoping to build better relations ahead of a possible easing of sanctions.There may also be some awkward questions for Mr Hollande on Iran. Last week more than 100 French business executives, including delegates from oil major Total and car manufacturer Renault, travelled to Tehran, hoping to build better relations ahead of a possible easing of sanctions.
It stood in sharp contrast to the tough diplomatic stance on Iran by both the US and France.It stood in sharp contrast to the tough diplomatic stance on Iran by both the US and France.
On Tuesday Mr Hollande and Mr Obama will hold a news conference and visit Arlington National Cemetery - in this, the 70th-anniversary year of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War Two. On Tuesday Mr Hollande and Mr Obama will hold bilateral talks and a news conference.
Mr Hollande will have lunch with Vice-president Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry at the state department.
In the evening, Mr Obama will play host to Mr Hollande for a lavish official state dinner at the White House.
During his time in the US, Mr Hollande will also travel to San Francisco and meet chiefs of Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google.During his time in the US, Mr Hollande will also travel to San Francisco and meet chiefs of Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google.
There he may face questions over his government's desire for uniform taxation on internet companies - many of them US-based - that skirt high taxes in France.There he may face questions over his government's desire for uniform taxation on internet companies - many of them US-based - that skirt high taxes in France.