Ban on full veil 'necessary', says French Justice

The debate over the wearing of the full veil by Islamic women in France is raging on with a French Justice saying a ban is necessary for coexistence between faiths and secular society.

Michele Alliot-Marie said France valued religious freedom, but said it is important to remember that the Koran does not demand that woman wear the full veil.

President Nicolas Sarkozy's government said last week it would push ahead with a ban on the full-face veil in public - including for Muslim tourists - despite state legal experts warning such a law could be unconstitutional.

The planned ban has been condemned by Muslim leaders outside France as an attack on religious freedom, although French politicians insist they are fighting to protect women's rights and French secular traditions.