Obama to host French president in February

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday that he will welcome his French counterpart Francois Hollande to the White House for a state visit in February next year. "The United States and France are close friends and allies, including through NATO, and our countries have worked together to support democracy, liberty and freedom at home and abroad for more than two centuries," Obama said in a statement. "During the visit, we will discuss opportunities to further strengthen the U.S.-France security and economic partnership," he added. Obama will host a state dinner for Hollande in his first visit to the U.S. since assuming the presidency in May 2012.