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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, as both men extol their nations' reinvigorated alliance. | US President Barack Obama has welcomed French President Francois Hollande to the White House, as both men extol their nations' reinvigorated alliance. |
Mr Hollande was greeted by a military honour guard and a 21-gun salute, ahead of a grand state dinner later. | |
The French leader said mutual trust had been restored since revelations of US National Security Agency snooping. | The French leader said mutual trust had been restored since revelations of US National Security Agency snooping. |
Their diplomatic ties soured in 2003 when France opposed 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". | 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 dinner | Black-tie dinner |
Mr Hollande earlier highlighted their historic ties, saying: "Each of our countries knows what it owes to each other - its freedom." | |
The leaders discussed the conflict in Syria and Iran's disputed nuclear programme. | |
They also talked about French military operations in the African nations of Mali and the Central African Republic - the US has provided some help for both missions. | |
The French leader will now lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry. | |
Scandal | |
But the main event is a black-tie state dinner held 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. |
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 last month 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. |