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White House welcomes French President Francois Hollande White House welcomes French President Francois Hollande
(35 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has welcomed French President Francois Hollande to the White House ahead of a grand state dinner. US President Barack Obama has welcomed French President Francois Hollande to the White House, as both men extol their nations' reinvigorated alliance.
The visitor was greeted by a military honour guard, blaring brass band and a 21-gun salute on the south lawn. Mr Hollande was greeted by a military honour guard and a 21-gun salute, ahead of ahead of a grand state dinner later.
The trip takes place in the wake of Mr Hollande's split from his partner amid reports of an affair with an actress. The French leader said mutual trust had been restored since revelations of US National Security Agency snooping.
The visit sets the seal on a new era in US-French relations, which sank to a low a decade ago over the Iraq war. Their diplomatic ties soured in 2003 as France opposed US President George W Bush's invasion of Iraq.
But despite the chilly weather on Tuesday in Washington DC, there was no sign of the diplomatic deep freeze that took hold in 2003 between the two countries when then-French President Jacques Chirac refused to support US President George W Bush's invasion of Iraq. At the White House press conference on Tuesday, Mr Obama said they had rebuilt a bilateral relationship that "would have been unimaginable even a decade ago".
Black-tie dinnerBlack-tie dinner
"More nations must step up and meet the responsibilities of leadership, and that's what the United States and France are doing together," Mr Obama said with Mr Hollande by his side at the White House. Mr Hollande earlier highlighted the historic ties between the two nations, saying: "Each of our countries knows what it owes to each other - its freedom."
Mr Hollande highlighted the historic ties between the two nations, saying: "Each of our countries knows what it owes to each other - its freedom." The leaders also discussed the conflict in Syria and Iran's disputed nuclear programme.
Among the French leader's engagements on Tuesday are a press conference at midday with Mr Obama followed by lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry. The French leader will later lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry.
The main event will be a black-tie dinner held in Mr Hollande's honour on Tuesday night in a big white tent on the White House lawn. But the main event is a black-tie state dinner held in a big white tent on the White House lawn.
More than 300 dignitaries and celebrities will dine on American caviar, quail eggs and rib-eye steak, while dancing to the music of singer Mary J Blige.More than 300 dignitaries and celebrities will dine on American caviar, quail eggs and rib-eye steak, while dancing to the music of singer Mary J Blige.
ScandalScandal
The White House talks menu is expected to include a proposed trade agreement between the US and the European Union, the war in Syria and Iran's disputed nuclear programme. The White House talks also covered French military operations in the African nations of Mali and the Central African Republic - the US has provided some help for both missions.
French military operations in the African nations of Mali and the Central African Republic - the US has provided some help for both missions - are also likely to be discussed.
On Wednesday, Mr Hollande will also travel to San Francisco and meet chiefs of Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google.On Wednesday, Mr Hollande will also travel to San Francisco and meet chiefs of Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google.
His long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler did not travel with him, after the breakdown in their relationship following reports he had an affair with an actress. His long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler did not travel with him, after the breakdown in their relationship last month following reports he had an affair with an actress.
Following Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia. They visited the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France and the third US president.Following Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia. They visited the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France and the third US president.