Print this page France to send seven foreign rioters home 06dec05 PARIS: Seven foreigners are likely to be deported from France for their roles in the recent unrest that hit poor French suburbs, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has said. Other foreigners risk expulsion, the minister said in an interview on French television in which he came down in favour of punishment for rappers whose songs incite hate among suburban youths living on the margins of society. Mr Sarkozy, known for his tough approach to law and order, has been criticised by human rights groups and the opposition Left for wanting to deport foreigners -- legal or not -- who took part in the three weeks of unrest in October and early November that was marked by thousands of arson attacks. Mr Sarkozy said 83 foreigners had been arrested but that 40 of them could not be deported because of their age, their status as political refugees or the lengthy time they had spent in France. So far seven were likely to be expelled. Mr Sarkozy said he supported politicians who want rap singers sanctioned for allegedly inciting hate and violence among youths living in suburban housing projects that surround big cities. He said he favoured punishment for rappers "when the limits have been passed". More than 200 conservative lawmakers have accused seven singers and rap groups of inciting hatred. But Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin warned against stirring up more trouble. "Is rap responsible for the crisis in the suburbs?" he asked. "I say no." AP
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