The first rule of politics: "Don't ever speak in front of a live microphone, if you don't want to be overheard."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "liar" in remarks to US President Barack Obama overheard by journalists.
"I can't stand him any more, he's a liar," Mr Sarkozy said in French.
"You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day," Mr Obama replied.
The exchange at the G20 summit was quoted by a French website, Arret sur Images, and confirmed by other media.
The remarks - during a private conversation - were overheard by a few journalists last week but were not initially reported, the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris says.
Journalists at the bilateral press conference had been handed translation boxes but had been told not to plug in their headphones until the backroom conversation had finished. But those who did heard the revealing comments.
For several days there was media silence in France about the exchange - a decision had been taken not to embarrass the French president, our correspondent says.
A correspondent for Le Monde newspaper referred to the conversation without the quotes.
But Israeli newspapers have reported it in full.
It is said Mr Obama was taking Mr Sarkozy to task for voting in favour of the Palestinian bid for full membership of the UN cultural organisation, Unesco, a bid that was approved despite American opposition.
The remarks indicate a breakdown of trust with the Israeli leader which could have wider implications for the Middle East peace process, our correspondent says.
Blunt language
Mr Sarkozy appears to have an opinion on all of them.
Of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, "she says she's on a diet then she helps herself to a second helping of cheese," he said. Of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero: "perhaps he's not very intelligent."
When asked about Silvio Berlusconi's ability to deliver reform in Italy he was at least stuck for words - though the roll of his eyes spoke volumes.
Le Monde columnist Arnaud Leparmentier, quoting a member of the EU's European Council, said when fellow leaders pick up the phone to talk to one another, they will often joke, "do you want me to tell you what he (Sarkozy) said about you - or do you want to start by telling me what he said about me!"
All in all, not the image President Sarkozy would have hoped to portray at the G20 summit six months from an election. This was one of the last opportunities to show on the biggest stage that he is a leader of international stature, respected and liked.
The agenda of the G20 summit was hijacked by the Greeks - now it has been sidelined by his own indiscretion.
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