Paris, Sept. 29 (Reuters): Was it a love letter, and if so, who was it addressed to?

That was the question being asked in France yesterday after French President Nicolas Sarkozy was photographed leaving a cabinet meeting clutching a hand-written note to his side.

A blow-up of the letter showed what appeared to be a woman’s handwriting and a note in which she expressed regret over their prolonged separation. “I have the feeling that I haven’t seen you for an eternity and I miss you... a million kisses,” said the letter.

The picture was snapped on September 12 as Sarkozy left his office, but only came to the public eye on Thursday when it appeared on a magazine’s website.