8:34am UK, Wednesday December 26, 2007

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been seen in public with his new girlfriend, former supermodel Carla Bruni, on a trip to Egypt. 

Mr Sarkozy is spending a few days in Luxor on a private holiday before making a formal state visit to Cairo at the end of the month.

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President Sarkozy and Carla Bruni arrive in Luxor

The pair were first spotted in daylight getting out of a car surrounded by bodyguards and going into the Old Winter Palace.

Later they were filmed walking through the city at nighttime deep in conversation. At one point Mr Sarkozy puts his arm round Ms Bruni's waist.

Earlier this month pictures of the 52-year-old head of state with the supermodel-turned singer at Disneyland Paris were splashed all over the French press.

The right-wing politician's private life had become an issue during his election campaign this spring as his marriage to his second wife, Cecilia, disintegrated.

The pair split amicably after 11 years of marriage in October.

It was the first time in modern French history that a serving president had separated from his wife.

Italian-born Ms Bruni was one of the world's top models until she retired in 1998.

She has since started a singing career, releasing two albums, the most recent of which contains her interpretations of poems by writers including WH Auden and Dorothy Parker.

Ms Bruni has previously been linked with rock stars Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton, as well as US businessman Donald Trump.

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

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

His spokesman has declined to comment on his trip to Luxor, saying it is a personal affair.