France's Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban wearing the Islamic full veil in public.
The proposed measure was already backed by the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, in July.
The ban will come into force in six months' time if it is not overturned by constitutional judges.
The ban has strong public support, but critics point out that only a tiny minority of French Muslims wear the full veil.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has backed the ban as part of a wider debate on French identity but opponents say the government is pandering to far-right voters.
The bill envisages fines of 150 euros for women wearing the full veil
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11305033
The proposed measure was already backed by the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, in July.
The ban will come into force in six months' time if it is not overturned by constitutional judges.
The ban has strong public support, but critics point out that only a tiny minority of French Muslims wear the full veil.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has backed the ban as part of a wider debate on French identity but opponents say the government is pandering to far-right voters.
The bill envisages fines of 150 euros for women wearing the full veil
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11305033
