<p> A plane carrying new French President Francois Hollande to Germany was forced to return to Paris Tuesday after it was struck by a lightning, BBC reported. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Hours after taking oath as new French president, Hollande was on his way to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. <br /><br />Hollande later took another plane and headed for Berlin where he was expected to reach at 19.30 hours GMT.<br /><br />Earlier in the day, Hollande was sworn in for a five-year term at the Elysee Palace in Paris, becoming France's first Socialist president in 17 years.<br /><br />In his inauguration speech, Hollande said he wished to deliver a "message of confidence".<br /><br />"My mandate is to bring France back to justice, open up a new path in Europe, contribute to world peace and preserve the planet."<br /><br />The new president said he was fully aware of challenges facing France, which he summarised as "huge debt, weak growth, reduced competitiveness, and a Europe that is struggling to emerge from a crisis".<br /><br />Hollande also said he wanted other European leaders to sign an accord that "ties the necessary reduction of deficit to the indispensable stimulation of the economy".</p>
<p> A plane carrying new French President Francois Hollande to Germany was forced to return to Paris Tuesday after it was struck by a lightning, BBC reported. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Hours after taking oath as new French president, Hollande was on his way to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. <br /><br />Hollande later took another plane and headed for Berlin where he was expected to reach at 19.30 hours GMT.<br /><br />Earlier in the day, Hollande was sworn in for a five-year term at the Elysee Palace in Paris, becoming France's first Socialist president in 17 years.<br /><br />In his inauguration speech, Hollande said he wished to deliver a "message of confidence".<br /><br />"My mandate is to bring France back to justice, open up a new path in Europe, contribute to world peace and preserve the planet."<br /><br />The new president said he was fully aware of challenges facing France, which he summarised as "huge debt, weak growth, reduced competitiveness, and a Europe that is struggling to emerge from a crisis".<br /><br />Hollande also said he wanted other European leaders to sign an accord that "ties the necessary reduction of deficit to the indispensable stimulation of the economy".</p>