Sarkozy, new girlfriend have holiday in Egypt

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and his new girlfriend, former supermodel Carla Bruni, walk near the Old Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor December 25, 2007. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

The French president is scheduled to start an official visit to Egypt on next Monday, when he meets President Hosni Mubarak, according to the French Embassy in Cairo.

His appearance came two months after the French president's divorce from his wife of 11 years, Cecilia, as pictures of Sarkozy, 52, accompanying model-turned-singer Bruni, 39, at Disneyland Paris were splashed all over the French press.

The longtime model Bruni, an Italian-born French citizen, won critical and public acclaim for her first folk album in 2003, singing in a raspy, whispery voice.

Bruni has a son from a previous relationship, while Sarkozy has two elder sons from his first marriage, and a third son from his marriage to Cecilia.

According to French media, Sarkozy borrowed a private plane from French billionaire Vincent Bollore for the trip.

The French president's department has declined to comment on Sarkozy's trip to Luxor, saying it is a personal affair.

(Agencies)