Sarkozy / Bruni - name the day.

' ello, 'ello, 'ello ...Le Journal Dimanche is owned by Arnaud Lagardere, a close friend of Mr Sarkozy's, and is therefore usually well informed about the French president's plans. They confirm today what and inconsolable Rachida Dati told Lord Patel in a heated transatlantic telcon last week.

Le Journal Dimanche has breathlessly announced ahead of the press pack that President Sarkozy will marry Carla Bruni on the Fri 8th / Sat 9th February - less than 4 months since his divorce.

The Elysee Palace would not comment on the news.

During a "surprise" Christmas trip to Egypt, (Luxor's Old Winter Palace hotel & Sharm el Sheikh) on billionaire friend Vincent Bollore's (very close friend of Edmond de Rothschild) private jet (pic with Bruni's son) the recently-divorced president reportedly gave Bruni an engagement ring -- a huge pink diamond heart -- while Bruni gave him a luxury Swiss Patek Philippe watch in grey steel. Sarko also spent his post-election holiday aboard billionaire Vincent Bollore's yacht (pic) raising a storm of abuse about the nouveau riche president and his clique.

It wasn't all fun they stopped off in Cairo to meet President Hosni Mubarak on December 30th on his first official Middle Eastern visit and went on to Jordan to see Prince Abdullah in Amman, Jordan - with a 200 strong official party.

Egyptian Culture Minister and famed abstract painter Faruq Hosni, who is seeking to become the new boss of Paris-based Unesco, is said to have been very helpful in making the arrangements and providing security - especially for the President's morning "le jogging"...whatever that means.

Meanwhile ... the tiny but well formed Sarkozy awaits the memoirs of his former wife Cecilia which will deal (it is said) with the "difficult years" alongside the French President.