Newly-elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Malta yesterday for a private visit with his wife Cecilia and his son.

Mr Sarkozy, who on Sunday beat Segolene Royal in the final race for the French presidency, arrived on a private jet in the afternoon.

Travellers arriving on other flights at about 2.30pm yesterday were very surprised to see Mr Sarkozy and his family mingling with them as they lined up at passport control.

The new French President and his family were later escorted to Ta’ Xbiex, where they embarked on a yacht that immediately sailed off for an undisclosed destination.

The French media had reported that Mr Sarkozy would leave France for a private holiday the day after the election, but Malta was not included as one of the possible destinations.

It is believed Mr Sarkozy will be spending between two or three days on holiday before returning to France.

He will be sworn in as the new French President on 16 May.