France will not revoke a law banning Islamic head scarves in public schools despite demands by an Iraqi group holding two French journalists hostage, the government spokesman said Monday.
"The law will be applied," spokesman Jean-Francois Cope told Canal Plus television Monday, adding the nation would not compromise its values in the pursuit of winning the hostages' release.
French President Jacques Chirac dispatched Foreign Minister Michel Barnier to the Middle East. Barnier arrived in Cairo early Monday and was to have talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and with Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, The AP reported.
On his part, Chirac appealed on Sunday to the kidnappers, reminding them that Paris opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
