Hollande says personal life should remain private

The personal life should remain private, said French President Francois Hollande Tuesday, refusing to answer questions on his secret liaison with a French actress.

"Everyone in their personal life can face trials. That's our case. These are painful moments. But I have one principle, and that is that personal life should be treated privately, respecting each person's intimacy," Xinhua quoted Hollande as saying in his New Year Greetings message to journalists.

"This is neither the place nor the moment to (discuss) that. If I do not respond to any question on that topic today, I will do so before (the US visit scheduled next month)," he added.

Last Friday, the president's long time girlfriend, Valerie Trierweiler, was hospitalised after a celebrity magazine Closer published a seven-page photo spread, titled "the President's secret love", with the actress Julie Gayet.

Hollande has four children with the Socialist Party heavyweight, Segolene Royal. They decided to separate soon after his ex-partner failed to challenge Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007 presidential election.