French President, New Gal-Pal Causing Stir

It's the relationship grabbing center stage in Europe.

Dashing French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his new girlfriend set tongues to wagging when they toured Egyptian archeologicial sites, such as the Valley of the Kings, with a horde of cameramen and photographers watching their every move, reports CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar.

The trip, she says, has the air of both public proclamation and family holiday. Traveling with them are one of his sons -- AND her mother.

The girlfriend, Carla Bruni, is an Italian-born former supermodel who's had success recently as a jazz singer and is, MacVicar observes, known for a taste for powerful men, having been linked to Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Donald Trump.

She's the latest elegant brunette to be pictured on the arm of Sarkozy.

Two months ago, his divorce from now ex-wife Cecilia was finalized.

He'd been seen with French actress Carole Bouquet, and a TV anchorwoman ended her 14-year marriage after an affair with the president, MacVicar notes.

Although his family has been part of his public image, and his ex-wife played a key role in his political life, Sarkozy bristled in October when asked about the state of his marriage on the CBS News broadcast Sixty Minutes, saying, "If I had something to say about Cecilia, I would certainly not do so here."

While he has said nothing about his relationship with Bruni, they all-but announced their affair with a very public visit to a Paris theme park, MacVicar points out.

As Point de Vue magazine Editor Colombe Pringle put it, "I don't think he would ... go to Disneyland (with her) on a Sunday before Christmas if he wanted this to stay secret."

And, conlcuded MacVicar, the French press is buzzing with rumors of a Presidential proposal -- and reports that Bruni has asked for a month to think things over.