Sarkozy inauguration begins

Nicolas Sarkozy arrived today at the Elysee Palace in Paris to be inaugurated as French president and take over from Jacques Chirac.

Mr Chirac and Mr Sarkozy shook hands in the palace courtyard before heading into private discussions over controls for France’s nuclear arsenal.

Mr Sarkozy, a fellow conservative who was elected May 6 on promises of change, will then be officially inaugurated as president.