Baghdad  - French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday morning for an unannounced visit, local media reported.

Sarkozy's visit is the first by a French head of state since the US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. France had been critical of the invasion at the time, and refused to send any troops to the country.

The French president will meet Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Sarkozy met Talabani when the Iraqi president came to France in November. (dpa)