DHAKA: France president Francois Hollande begins a three-day visit to the United States on Monday, hoping to leave a scandal behind as he seeks to shore up business ties and revive France’s stagnant economy.

Deeply unpopular at home and fresh from a much-publicised split with longtime girlfriend Valerie Trierweiler, Hollande will be hosted for a state dinner and talks with US president Barack Obama before jetting to California to meet tech leaders.

Sources in the Elysee say the trip will highlight the ‘excellent working relationship’ between the US and France, but Hollande will also raise a few ‘irritants’, including concerns over mass US spying in Europe.

Hollande and Obama are expected to discuss the war in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program, Ukraine’s political crisis and security concerns in Africa, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1450 HRS, FEB 09, 2014