The French and American presidents were speaking during an encounter on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Cannes last week without realising that a simultaneous translation of their words was being transmitted to journalists outside the room.
As the conversation drifted to Israel, Mr Sarkozy is reported to have said: “I cannot bear Netanyahu, he’s a liar.”
Mr Obama did not challenge the assertion, instead replying: “You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day.”
The exchange provides the most tantalising evidence yet of the growing antipathy with which Mr Netanyahu is said to be held by many Western leaders.
President Obama has had a frequently strained relationship with the Israeli leader. In March last year, Mr Netanyahu was left to stew in a White House meeting room for over an hour after the president allegedly walked out of tense talks to have dinner with his family. » | Adrian Blomfield | Tuesday, November 08, 2011
THE GUARDIAN: Sarkozy and Obama's Netanyahu gaffe broadcast via microphones: French president called Israeli PM a liar in exchange with US president inadvertently shared with journalists » | Harriet Sherwood in Jerusalem and Angelique Chrisafis in Paris | Tuesday, November 08, 2011
MAIL ONLINE: Sarkozy: 'I can't stand him… he’s a liar': Obama: 'You're fed up with him - I have to deal with him every day!'
Presidents' unflattering comments about Israeli PM Netanyahu are broadcast at G20 summit » | Anthony Bond | Tuesday, November 08, 2011
