U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he is greeted by France's President Nicolas Sarkozy before the start of the G20 Summit of major world economies in Cannes
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) waves as he is greeted by France's President Nicolas Sarkozy before the start of the G20 Summit of major world economies in Cannes November 3, 2011. Reuters

In a private conversation with U.S. President Barak Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has termed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a liar and said, I can't stand him (Netanyahu).

Journalists present at the G20 summit in Cannes last week overheard fragments of the conversation between the two leaders.

According to an Associated Press report, Obama responded: You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day.

Both Sarkozy and Obama were unaware that the microphones in the hall were on and reporters were listening to their conversation.

There have been no comments from the offices of Sarkozy, Obama and Netanyahu's on the issue.

French government officials, in recent months, have criticized Netanyahu's stand on freezing Israeli settlements in Palestine which prevented resumption of peace talks with Palestine leaders.

Both France and the U.S. are urging Israel and the Palestinians to re-launch negotiations on a final peace agreement.

During the conversation, Obama asked Sarkozy to convince Palestine not to seek membership of the United Nations.

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