Sarkozy rival upset at use of Obama photo

PARIS (AP) - A photo of Barack Obama in a campaign video for French President Nicolas Sarkozy is upsetting the team of Sarkozy's rival, Socialist Francois Hollande.

Hollande's campaign chief Pierre Moscovici said Friday he was surprised that the photo of Obama and Sarkozy aired in the video broadcast on TV and called the U.S. Embassy to discuss the matter.

Another campaign staffer said Hollande's aides are furious, fearing the image suggests that Obama - who is massively popular in France - is taking sides in the French presidential race.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Paul Patin said "the U.S. government does not support any candidate."

Sarkozy's campaign website says he is "respected and supported" by Obama, Britain's David Cameron and Germany's Angela Merkel.

Hollande leads Sarkozy in polls ahead of Sunday's election.