Young French Fans Mob Nelson Mandela

Young French fans mobbed Nelson Mandela at a reception Sunday, trying to shake hands with the visiting South African president on France’s national holiday.

Three thousand teens and young adults were invited to the presidential palace for the traditional garden reception following the Bastille Day parade.

The guests swarmed enthusiastically over Nelson and French President Jacques Chirac as the two leaders tried to stroll through the palace’s expansive backyard under a sunny sky.

“Nelson! Nelson!” the crowd chanted as bodyguards tried to keep them back.