Sarkozy overheard telling Obama Netanyahu's a liar

[November 08, 2011]  PARIS (AP) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he "can't stand" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has called him a "liar."

Sarkozy, who has labored to improve French relations with Israel, was overheard making the comments during a conversation with President Barack Obama at the Group of 20 summit last week.

Obama, in remarks via a French interpreter, was not heard objecting to the characterization.

Several French-speaking journalists, including one from The Associated Press, overheard the comments but did not initially report them because they were deemed private under French media traditions.

A French website first reported the comments Tuesday.

Sarkozy's office, Netanyahu's office and the U.S. Embassy in Paris would not comment Tuesday.

[Associated Press]

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