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FRANCE'S first lady broke with protocol today as she held out a frosty hand to welcome Barack Obama.Stunning Carla Bruni was business-like in her greeting-while her hubby treated the US President's wife to a hug and Continental double kiss.The former model gave customary pecks on both cheeks to Michelle Obama and other dignitaries when the couple arrived in France.But when it came to the dashing US President the beauty kept a noticeable distance. Mr and Mrs Obama flew in to Strasbourg's majestic 18th-century Rohan Palace this morning to meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.The meeting was being held before the formal start of the NATO alliance’s 60th anniversary summit.Sarkozy rolled out all the pomp possible for the visit, with a red carpet arrival and full military honours from a company of soldiers dressed in camouflage. The two couples lined up to listen to their respective national anthems played by a French military band but even in his trademark stacked heels Mr Sarkozy was a sight for smaller eyes. The French supremo at 5ft 6ins was no match for his ex supermodel wife and even taller Mrs Obama, who both donned flat shoes for the occasion.Mr Obama later gave a speech, telling told those gathered that he is setting a dramatic goal of “a world without nuclear weapons”.The President opened a town-hall style gathering with the declaration, saying he would outline details in Prague in the coming days.He said: “Even with the Cold War now over, the spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet.”Mr Obama said that the US shares blame for the crisis, but that “every nation bears responsibility for what lies ahead-especially now".He added: “I’ve come to Europe this week to renew our partnership.America is changing but it cannot be America alone that changes.” President Obama jetted out of Britain at 8.50am after flying in on Tuesday for the G20 summit. He had been expected to travel to Stansted airport,Essex, in presidential helicopter Marine One, but fog forced him into his armoured limousine in London’s rush hour.By JENNIFER BRAIN and LEON WATSON
As in the days of Noah...
