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White House welcomes French President Francois Hollande Obama and Hollande say trust restored after NSA spying
(about 1 hour 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 and French President Francois Hollande have reaffirmed their nations' alliance after revelations of US snooping.
Mr Hollande was greeted by a military honour guard and a 21-gun salute, ahead of a grand state dinner later. On day two of his trip to the US, the French leader said at the White House that mutual trust had been restored.
The French leader said mutual trust had been restored since revelations of US National Security Agency snooping. Mr Hollande, who was greeted by a military honour guard and a 21-gun salute, attends a state dinner later.
Their diplomatic ties soured in 2003 when France opposed US President George W Bush's invasion of Iraq. Relations broke down in 2003 between the countries when France opposed US President George W Bush's war in 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 Tuesday's press conference, Mr Obama said they had built a bilateral relationship "unimaginable even a decade ago".
Black-tie dinner New special relationship?
Mr Hollande earlier highlighted their historic ties, saying: "Each of our countries knows what it owes to each other - its freedom." Standing by his side, the French leader said they had resolved their issues over digital eavesdropping by the US National Security Agency.
The leaders discussed the conflict in Syria and Iran's disputed nuclear programme. "We wanted to fight against terrorism, but we also wanted to meet a number of principles," said Mr Hollande, who is the first US president to cross the Atlantic in 18 years.
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. "And we are making headway in this co-operation. Mutual trust has been restored."
The French leader will now lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry. Mr Obama chuckled when asked if US-French ties were now warmer even than the so-called special relationship between America and Britain.
He said that France and England were both outstanding European partners and, just like his two daughters, he would never choose between either country.
Mr Obama announced he had accepted Mr Hollande's invitation to go to France in June to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy during World War Two.
The two leaders also discussed the conflict in Syria, a former French colony whose civil war both the US and France have been working to end.
Mr Obama registered "enormous frustration" over faltering peace talks.
He also threatened to "come down like a ton of bricks" on any firms in violation of sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme.
ScandalScandal
But the main event is a black-tie state dinner held in a big white tent on the White House lawn. The American president was responding to a question about last week's trip by more than 100 French executives to Tehran, a trip the US state department described as "not helpful".
Mr Hollande said he had reminded those business leaders that sanctions remain in effect and no commercial agreements could be signed without a comprehensive nuclear deal.
Mr Obama, meanwhile, praised France's military role in helping quell extremist violence in Africa. The US has provided some help in French missions to Mali and the Central African Republic.
The French leader later had lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry.
But the main event is Tuesday night's black-tie state dinner 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, 59, 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 they split 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.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.They visited the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France and the third US president.