White House welcomes French President Francois Hollande
French President Francois Hollande (centre) met with US President Barack Obama ahead of a planned visit with Secretary of State John Kerry US President Barack Obama has welcomed French President Francois Hollande to the White House for a day of meetings culminating in a state dinner.
The visitor was greeted by a military honour guard and blaring brass band on the south lawn.
The two leaders are expected to discuss issues ranging from trade to Iran's nuclear programme.
The visit sets the seal on a new era in US-French relations, which sank to a low a decade ago over the Iraq war.
Black-tie dinner"More nations must step up and meet the responsibilities of leadership, and that's what the United States and France are doing together," Mr Obama said with Mr Hollande by his side at the White House.
Among Mr Hollande's engagements on Tuesday are a joint press conference at midday with Mr Obama followed by lunch with Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry.
The main event will be a black-tie dinner held in Mr Hollande's honour on Tuesday night in a big white tent on the White House lawn.
Invitees will dine on beef, greens from the White House garden and American caviar, while dancing to the music of singer Mary J Blige.
During his time in the US, Mr Hollande will also travel to San Francisco and meet chiefs of Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google.
ScandalHis long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler did not travel with him, after the breakdown in their relationship following reports he had an affair with an actress.
Following Mr Hollande's arrival on Monday afternoon, he and Mr Obama flew to Monticello in the state of Virginia. They visited the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the US, an envoy to France and the third US president.
The two toured Jefferson's home, stopping by his study, the kitchen and the quarters of slaves who helped build and run the estate.
In articles published jointly in the Washington Post and Le Monde on Monday, Mr Obama and Mr Hollande hailed their efforts in the Middle East.
They praised negotiations with Iran that led to an interim agreement on its disputed nuclear programme.
In Syria, they said their threat of force had "paved the way for the plan to eliminate chemical weapons".
Mr Hollande (centre) is embroiled in scandal back home due to an alleged affair with an actress 
Mr Obama (left) has publicly praised the duo's growing political relationship 
Mr Hollande (left) is scheduled to meet with Silicon Valley executives during his US visit 
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