PARIS – French critics and defenders of a ban on Muslim headscarves in schools united in support of the law yesterday, pledging to stand firm against militants holding two French journalists hostage in Iraq who want the law revoked.
As French foreign minister Michel Barnier arrived in Egypt for talks with regional contacts aimed at securing the release of Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, France said the ban would be in place when school resumes on Thursday. “It will be applied,” government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope told Canal Plus television.The Islamic Army in Iraq gave France 48 hours to revoke the controversial ban, but did not specify what would happen when the deadline ended last night.The foreign ministry said its secretary-general, Hubert Colin de Verdiere, left for Baghdad on Sunday night for separate talks aimed at securing the release of the hostages.- Nampa-Reuters”It will be applied,” government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope told Canal Plus television.The Islamic Army in Iraq gave France 48 hours to revoke the controversial ban, but did not specify what would happen when the deadline ended last night.The foreign ministry said its secretary-general, Hubert Colin de Verdiere, left for Baghdad on Sunday night for separate talks aimed at securing the release of the hostages.- Nampa-Reuters
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