A woman wears a burqa as she walks up the stairs outside the municipal library in Roncin northern France on August 9, 2009. French parliament has started a six-month inquiry into the spread of the niqab and the burqa as France considers banning full facial veils which President Nicolas Sarkozy has said is not welcome in the country. Reuters Pictures 3 months ago

A woman wears a burqa as she walks up the stairs outside the municipal library in Roncin northern France on August 9, 2009. French parliament has started a six-month inquiry into the spread of the niqab and the burqa as France considers banning full facial veils which President Nicolas Sarkozy has said is not welcome in the country.

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  1. A student chants as teachers and students take to the streets in protest over the government's education policies, in Paris November 24, 2009. Thousands of French postal workers and teachers went on strike on Tuesday in separate protests over the future of two of France's biggest public sector institutions. The protests are the latest in a series of strikes by public sector workers angered by reforms President Nicolas Sarkozy says are necessary to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The placard reads "The rotten reforms of Sarkozy".
  2. A postal worker with a union sticker on his hat demonstrates in Paris November 24, 2009. Thousands of French postal workers and teachers went on strike on Tuesday in separate protests over the future of two of France's biggest public sector institutions. The protests are the latest in a series of strikes by public sector workers angered by reforms President Nicolas Sarkozy says are necessary to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
  3. A student chants as teachers and students take to the streets in protest over the government's education policies, in Paris November 24, 2009. Thousands of French postal workers and teachers went on strike on Tuesday in separate protests over the future of two of France's biggest public sector institutions. The protests are the latest in a series of strikes by public sector workers angered by reforms President Nicolas Sarkozy says are necessary to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
  4. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local authorities in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, near Paris November 24, 2009.
  5. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local authorities in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, near Paris November 24, 2009.
  6. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local authorities in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, near Paris November 24, 2009.
  7. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local authorities in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, near Paris November 24, 2009.
  8. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local authorities in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, near Paris November 24, 2009.
  9. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local authorities in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, near Paris November 24, 2009.
  10. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) and Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie (R) visit the French Local Territorial Security (DTSP) headquarters in Bobigny, a Paris suburb November 24, 2009.
  11. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy holds a weapon seized by police, Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009 in Bobigny, outside Paris, during a visit to the DTSP headquarters (Directions territoriales de securite de proximite). Man at left is unidentified.
  12. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (2ndL), French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux (3rdL), Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie (4thL) and Paris Police Prefect Michel Gaudin (5thL) visit the French Local Territorial Security (DTSP) headquarters in Bobigny, near Paris, November 24, 2009.
  13. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) holds a rifle seized by the police during a visit to the French Local Territorial Security (DTSP) headquarters in Bobigny, near Paris, November 24, 2009. At left is French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux.
  14. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) looks at arms and drugs seized by the police during a visit to the French Local Territorial Security (DTSP) headquarters in Bobigny, near Paris, November 24, 2009.
  15. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) looks at arms and drugs seized by the police during a visit to the French Local Territorial Security (DTSP) headquarters in Bobigny, near Paris, November 24, 2009. At left is French Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.
  16. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) holds a rifle seized by the police during a visit to the French Local Territorial Security (DTSP) headquarters in Bobigny, near Paris, November 24, 2009. At left is French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux.

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  1. PARIS - NOVEMBER 11: In this handout provided by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with French President Nicholas Sarkozy on November 11, 2009 in Paris, France. Netanyahu was invited to visit France by Sarkozy on his return from his trip to America.
  2. PARIS - NOVEMBER 11: In this handout provided by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with French President Nicholas Sarkozy on November 11, 2009 in Paris, France. Netanyahu was invited to visit France by Sarkozy on his return from his trip to America.
  3. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) tastes a piece of cheese as he visits the National School of Dairy Industries in Poligny, eastern France, October 27, 2009. President Sarkozy said on Tuesday he will seek tougher European regulation in the milk sector from the start of next year as part of a package of measures to help France's struggling farmers.
  4. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) visits the National School of Dairy Industries in Poligny, eastern France, October 27, 2009. President Sarkozy said on Tuesday he will seek tougher European regulation in the milk sector from the start of next year as part of a package of measures to help France's struggling farmers.
  5. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) speaks with France's Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand (R) before inaugurating a major exhibit of art from Turkey at the Grand Palais in Paris October 9, 2009. Culture Minister Mitterrand is facing calls for his resignation for having written about paying boys for sex in Thailand, revelations that were made in a 2005 autobiography "The Bad Life". Jean-David Levitte (2ndL) is President Sarkozy's diplomatic advisor.
  6. A member of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, writes on a board the 2008 French President Nicolas Sarkozy' promises as the workers prepare a symbolic meeting with the president. In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider. Sarkozy, who visits other factories in the eastern region on October 8, 2009, promised to go later in ArcelorMittal sites, according to Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez.
  7. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, answer to journalists as they wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, preparing a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider. Sarkozy, who visits other factories in the eastern region on October 8, 2009, promised to go later in ArcelorMittal sites, according to Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez.
  8. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, answer to journalists as they wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, preparing a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider. Sarkozy, who visits other factories in the eastern region on October 8, 2009, promised to go later in ArcelorMittal sites, according to Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez.
  9. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, answer to journalits wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, preparing a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider. Sarkozy, who visits other factories in the eastern region on October 8, 2009, promised to go later in ArcelorMittal sites, according to Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez.
  10. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy where they prepare a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider. Sarkozy, who visits other factories in the eastern region on October 8, 2009, promised to go later in ArcelorMittal sites, according to Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez.
  11. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the factory where they prepare a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider.
  12. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, answer to journalits wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the factory where they prepare a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider.
  13. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the factory where they prepare a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider.
  14. Members of French CFDT trade-union from the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal in Hayange, eastern France, answer to journalists as they wait for the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the factory where they prepare a symbolic meeting (with President's chair vacant). In 2008, President Sarkozy engaged to come back to the ArcelorMittal nearest Gandrange site, threatened of closing. Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory were postponed last year after Sarkozy urged owner Lakshmi Mittal to reconsider.
  15. French President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local officials about planned military reorganizations as part of a visit to the 1st Equipment Regiment in Woippy, northeastern France, on October 8, 2009.
  16. French President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a meeting with local officials about planned military reorganizations as part of a visit to the 1st Equipment Regiment in Woippy, northeastern France, on October 8, 2009.

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