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Sarkozy begins Washington visit French president welcomed by US
(about 1 hour later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun his first official visit to the United States since coming to power. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been warmly welcomed in Washington at the start of his first official visit to the US since he was elected.
He is due to address a joint session of Congress and hold talks with US President George W Bush. At a dinner with US President George W Bush at the White House, he said differences over Iraq should not weaken the alliance between the two countries.
Mr Sarkozy is also presenting the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, to several US citizens. Mr Bush agreed, stressing the many areas in which they work together.
The two presidents are expected to discuss the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, about which officials say they are in close agreement. The French leader is due to address a joint session of Congress and hold talks with Mr Bush at Mount Vernon.
Correspondents say the visit will help heal the divisions between the two countries that came to a head when France opposed the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. He will also present the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, to several US citizens.
When we have been together, we have won the hardest fights Nicolas Sarkozy First day in pictures US warms to new flavour
During the visit, the two presidents are expected to cover topics such as Iraq, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and global warming.
Mr Sarkozy, who was elected in May and spent the afternoon with Mr Bush while on holiday in New England in August, is seen as more pro-American than his predecessor, Jacques Chirac.
'Friends forever''Friends forever'
At a White House dinner to welcome Mr Sarkozy, he spoke warmly of his country's relations with the US. The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says a song of friendship set the tone at the formal dinner at the White House.
When we have been together, we have won the hardest fights Nicolas Sarkozy class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7082294.stm">First day in pictures Relations between the two countries have been strained since France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but Mr Sarkozy signalled it should not continue to be an obstacle.
"I came to Washington with a very simple message. I want to reconquer America's heart," Mr Sarkozy said during a toast to Mr Bush. He prompted laughter by saying he had come to show he could be a friend to the US and still win elections in France, underlining his desire to put relations between Washington and Paris on a new footing.
"I have come to tell you one thing, that is that France and the United States are friends, we are allies, always and forever." Mr Sarkozy met Mr Bush while on holiday in New England in August
Mr Sarkozy also paid homage to American troops who had helped liberate France during WWII. "I came to Washington with a very simple message. I want to reconquer America's heart," he said during a toast to Mr Bush.
"I have come to tell you one thing - that is that France and the United States are friends, we are allies, always and forever."
Mr Sarkozy also paid homage to US troops who had helped liberate France during World War II.
"When we have been together, we have won the hardest fights," he said."When we have been together, we have won the hardest fights," he said.
The French president, who was elected in May and visited the US on holiday in August, is seen as more pro-American than his predecessor Jacques Chirac. President Bush brushed aside past differences with France and said their countries were working together to solve conflicts around the world.
"French and American troops are helping to defend a young democracy in Afghanistan. Our two nations support the democratic government of Lebanon," he said.
"We agree that reconciliation and democracy in Iraq are vital to the future of the Middle East and our two nations condemn violations of human rights in Darfur, in Burma and around the world."
Weak dollarWeak dollar
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that the Bush White House increasingly sees President Sarkozy as its principal ally in efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme. Correspondents say the Bush administration increasingly sees President Sarkozy as its principal ally in efforts to halt Iran's nuclear programme.
But correspondents say there will be some areas of disagreement. But there will also be some areas of disagreement, they add.
In his address to Congress, President Sarkozy will touch on environmental issues, and is expected to call on the US to take the lead in the fight against climate change. In his address to Congress at 1100 (1600 GMT), Mr Sarkozy is expected to call for the US to do more to combat global warming and international poverty.
Addressing business leaders at the start of his visit, the French president voiced concern about the weakness of the US dollar. Addressing business leaders at the start of his visit, the French leader voiced concern about the weakness of the US dollar.
"A strong economy should have a strong currency. You don't need a dollar too weak," he said."A strong economy should have a strong currency. You don't need a dollar too weak," he said.
After visiting Congress, the two leaders will hold talks at Mount Vernon, George Washington's home and estate outside Washington.