WORLD> Europe
Sarkozy spends Christmas at Brazilian beach
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-26 11:16
BRASILIA -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy spent his Christmas holiday at a Brazilian beach where he practised sports with his wife Carla Bruni.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy embraces his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (R) during a concert in Rio de Janeiro December 22, 2008. [Agencies] 

Sarkozy went out jogging for two days on the beach of Itacarezinho in the northeastern Brazilian state of BahiaItacare, local media said Thursday, adding that the president and his wife resided in Txai Resort Hotel, where the room is of some 2,200 reais (about $960) per night.

The couple spent the Christmas Eve in the Hotel with a family dinner joined by Bruni's father, an Italian businessman with business in Sao Paulo.

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The president's escort was also hosted in 11 bungalows in the same hotel, which is one of the world's top 10 tourist destinations listed by The New Tork Times.

Criticism was sparked back in France over the "lack of power" left by Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who prolonged his stay in Cairo following two days of an official visit ending Tuesday.

According to press reports, only French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot remained in France over Christmas.