May 8, 2007, 8:27 GMT
Valletta - French President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Cecilia were enjoying a sailing holiday in Malta on Tuesday.
The new French president, who has not yet commented on the violent clashes that followed his election, is also using his time in Malta to reflect on the formation of his government, aides said.
Accompanied by their son Louis, the couple arrived in the Mediterranean island on Monday afternoon on board a Dassault Falcon private jet.
Wearing a jacket, white shirt and jeans, Sarkozy went through normal passport control and smiled and winked at astounded fellow passengers who recognised him.
According to local reports, Sarkozy and his party were taken in limousines to a yacht marina. From there they boarded a 60-metre yacht, Zaf, which together with another yacht, Tarrafal, then sailed around the Maltese Islands and to Syracuse, in Sicily.
The Zaf returned to the Malta yacht marina at Manoel Island late at night, and on Tuesday morning set sail again to cruise in the Mediterranean.
Sarkozy and his party are expected to leave Malta aboard his private jet Wednesday.
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