FILE - This Friday, June 21 ,2009, file photo shows a woman wearing the niqab, a veil worn by the most conservative Muslims that exposes only a woman's eyes, walks in the Belsunce district of downtown Marseille, central France. In the first presidential address to parliament in 136 years, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday, June 21, the Muslim burqa would not be welcome in France, calling the full-body religious gown a sign of the "debasement" of women. The terms "burqa" and "niqab" often are used interchangeably in France. The former refers to a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan with only a mesh screen over the eyes, whereas the latter is a full-body veil, often in black, with slits for the eyes. AP Photo logo AP Photo 5 months ago

FILE - This Friday, June 21 ,2009, file photo shows a woman wearing the niqab, a veil worn by the most conservative Muslims that exposes only a woman's eyes, walks in the Belsunce district of downtown Marseille, central France. In the first presidential address to parliament in 136 years, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday, June 21, the Muslim burqa would not be welcome in France, calling the full-body religious gown a sign of the "debasement" of women. The terms "burqa" and "niqab" often are used interchangeably in France. The former refers to a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan with only a mesh screen over the eyes, whereas the latter is a full-body veil, often in black, with slits for the eyes.

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  1. French President Nicolas Sarkozy talks on the phone while sitting next to Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer (L) at the start of a meeting on the second day of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  2. French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the media on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. EU leaders say they have agreed to commit 2.4 billion euro(3.6 billion dollars) a year until 2012 to help poorer countries combat global warming.
  3. French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the media on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. EU leaders say they have agreed to commit 2.4 billion euro(3.6 billion dollars) a year until 2012 to help poorer countries combat global warming.
  4. French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the media on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. EU leaders say they have agreed to commit 2.4 billion euro (3.6 billion dollars) a year until 2012 to help poorer countries combat global warming.
  5. French President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) greets Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite during a European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  6. French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses a news conference at the end of a two-day European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  7. French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses a news conference at the end of a two-day European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  8. French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy leaves a news conference at the end of an European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  9. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, makes a phone call on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The leaders of Britain and France say EU leaders will commit more than 2 billion euro (3 billion dollars) a year to help poorer parts of the world combat global warming.
  10. French President Nicolas Sarkozy makess a phone call at the start of a meeting on the second day of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  11. French President Nicolas Sarkozy makes a phone call on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The leaders of Britain and France say EU leaders will commit more than 2 billion euro (3 billion dollars) a year to help poorer parts of the world combat global warming.
  12. French President Nicolas Sarkozy talks with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (R), whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, on the second day of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  13. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Slovenia's Prime Minister Borut Pahor, make a phone call on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The leaders of Britain and France say EU leaders will commit more than 2 billion euro (3 billion dollars) a year to help poorer parts of the world combat global warming.
  14. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Slovenia's Prime Minister Borut Pahor, make phone calls on the second day of a two-day EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The leaders of Britain and France say EU leaders will commit more than 2 billion euro (3 billion dollars) a year to help poorer parts of the world combat global warming.
  15. French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) talks with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor on the second day of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.
  16. French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) laughs with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor (2nd L) while Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann (2nd R) and Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai talk on the second day of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels December 11, 2009.

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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.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Test pilot crew members talk minutes before the Airbus A400M military transport plane takes off in the Andalusian capital of Seville December 11, 2009. Europe's new military transport plane, the Airbus A400M, made its first test flight on Friday as buyers resumed talks on how to keep the delayed 20 billion euro ($29.5 billion) project airborne.
  2. Test pilot crew members pose minutes before the Airbus A400M military transport plane takes off in the Andalusian capital of Seville December 11, 2009. Europe's new military transport plane, the Airbus A400M, made its first test flight on Friday as buyers resumed talks on how to keep the delayed 20 billion euro ($29.5 billion) project airborne.
  3. Sandro Viletta of Switzerland clears a gate during the men's World Cup super combined slalom ski race in Val d'Isere December 11, 2009.
  4. CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Runners in The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase Race clear an early fence at Cheltenham Racecourse on December 11, 2009 in Cheltenham, England.
  5. GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 11: Santiago Bottini of Argentinia breaks around the maul during the IRB Sevens Series match between Scotland (5) and Argentinia (15) at Quteniqua Park on December 11, 2009 in George, South Africa.
  6. An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at Palestinian demonstrators, not pictured, during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Shuqba, near Ramallah, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. Israel says the barrier is necessary for security while Palestinians call it a land grab.
  7. BERN, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 11: Vitali Klitschko (L) of Ukraine and Kevin Johnson (R) of USA face each other during the weigh in at the Postfinance-Arena on December 11, 2009 in Bern, Switzerland. The WBC World Championship Heavyweight fight between Vitaly Klitschko of Ukraine and Kevin Johnson of USA takes place on December 12, 2009 at Postfinance-Arena, in Bern, Switzerland.
  8. Atlante goalkeeper Federico Vilar smiles during a press conference at Zayed Sports City Stadium, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. Atlante will play against Auckland City in a Club World Cup soccer match Saturday.
  9. Mine workers wait at the entrance of a coal mine as rescue works continue after an explosion late Thursday in Mustafa Kemalpasa town, Bursa in western Turkish, early Friday. Dec. 11, 2009. Nineteen miners were killed and several others were injured after the explosion.
  10. With a mosque in background, Estudiantes de La Plata players warm up during a training session of FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009.
  11. Atlante's coach Jose Cruz listens questions of journalists during a press conference at Zayed Sports City Stadium, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. Atlante will play against Auckland City in a Club World Cup soccer match Saturday.
  12. Atlante goalkeeper Federico Vilar gestures during a press conference at Zayed Sports City Stadium, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. Atlante will play against Auckland City in a Club World Cup soccer match Saturday.
  13. A test pilot crew member writes down information minutes before the Airbus A400M military transport plane takes off in the Andalusian capital of Seville December 11, 2009. Europe's new military transport plane, the Airbus A400M, made its first test flight on Friday as buyers resumed talks on how to keep the delayed 20 billion euro ($29.5 billion) project airborne.
  14. HOCHFILZEN, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 11: Anna Carin Olofsson-Zidek of Sweden takes 1st place during the e.on Ruhrgas IBU Biathlon World Cup WomenÕs 7.5 km Sprint on December 11, 2009 in Hochfilzen, Austria.
  15. HOCHFILZEN, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 11: Helena Jonsson of Sweden takes 2nd place during the e.on Ruhrgas IBU Biathlon World Cup WomenÕs 7.5 km Sprint on December 11, 2009 in Hochfilzen, Austria.
  16. HOCHFILZEN, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 11: Helena Jonsson of Sweden takes 2nd place during the e.on Ruhrgas IBU Biathlon World Cup WomenÕs 7.5 km Sprint on December 11, 2009 in Hochfilzen, Austria.