Sarkozy lashes out at photographers

French President Nicolas Sarkozy lost his temper with two American news photographers covering his vacation, jumping onto their boat and scolding them loudly in French.

Sarkozy and companions were headed for open water on Sunday in a boat on Lake Winnipesaukee when he spotted Associated Press photographer Jim Cole and freelancer Vince DeWitt aboard Cole's boat, which was outside a buoy barrier monitored by the New Hampshire Marine Patrol.

Before Sarkozy spotted him, Cole had driven his boat up to the patrol boat, identified himself and received permission to be there.

''He was happy and smiling and he waved at the security people as he was coming out,'' Cole said of the president.

''And then he noticed us taking pictures and his happy demeanour diminished immediately.''

The men said they watched through their lenses as Sarkozy pointed towards them and his boat began moving in their direction.

Coming alongside Cole's boat, Sarkozy, clad only in swim trunks, jumped aboard and began shouting at them.

''The president was very agitated, speaking French at a loud volume very rapidly,'' DeWitt said.

Both men said they repeatedly stated they did not speak French.

Cole said he asked whether any of the other passengers on Sarkozy's boat spoke English, but that no one answered or intervened.

Sarkozy picked up DeWitt's camera, but then put it down.

A woman then spoke up in English and relayed Sarkozy's request to be left alone, DeWitt said. The woman did not identify herself.