United Kingdom, Jan. 12 -- George Clooney is adamant he is isn't "abandoning" Los Angeles since being granted French citizenship.

The former E.R. star lived in the Californian city for decades after moving there from his native Kentucky to pursue a career in Hollywood but he recently sold the LA home he has owned since 1995 and is now living full-time in France with his wife Amal and their eight-year-old twins.

Despite now holding a French passport, Clooney has retained a "big apartment" in California so he can return regularly. When asked by the Los Angeles Times if he is "abandoning" the city, Clooney replied: "No!"

He added of selling his longtime home in the Studio City area: "I've been there in that house for 30 years, and it was ...