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Summary French President called Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu a liar in talks with US President.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a liar in talks with US President Barack Obama, who then complained of having to deal with him daily, a report said Tuesday.The private conversation, held during the G20 summit in the French city of Cannes last week, was overheard by a number of journalists after it was inadvertently transmitted over a system used for translation, media website Arret sur Images reported.I cant stand him anymore, hes a liar, Sarkozy said in French during the talks.You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day, Obama replied in comments that were translated into French.A number of journalists confirmed hearing the remarks.Without providing further quotes, the website said Obama had also chastised Sarkozy for not having informed the United States of Frances plans to vote in favour of Palestinian membership in UN cultural agency UNESCO.Journalists were able to hear the conversation after they were given translation devices for a press conference but told they would receive headphones later, the website reported.Plugging their own headphones into the devices, they realised they could hear the French translation of the conversation between the two leaders.The website quoted a number of journalists saying a group decision was made not to report the conversation as it was considered private and off-the-record.White House spokesman Jay Carney dodged questions about the incident.I dont have any comment on a reported conversation that apparently took place in a bilateral (meeting), Carey said.He did however note that it is well known that... the US and France do not agree on the UNESCO vote regarding the Palestinians.The presidents very firm position has been efforts to achieve UN membership in UN agencies by the Palestinians were premature and counterproductive.French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told journalists the incident was hype.Ive heard about the hype.... I dont want to talk about it. Its hype, Valero said, telling journalists to ask Sarkozys office to confirm the remarks.
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