Ex-Sarkozy aide lashes out at debate on Islam

Paris: French President Nicolas Sarkozy`s ousted adviser on diversity says the President`s conservative party is the "plague of Muslims."

Abderrahmane Dahmane was fired last month, in part for criticizing an upcoming debate on secularism and Islam organized by Sarkozy`s UMP party.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Thursday he won`t take part in the debate, which has drawn widespread criticism.

Dahmane told a news agency on Thursday that he wants to engage the Muslim community against the UMP and its leader, Jean-Francois Cope.

Dahmane has urged French Muslims to gather in front of the UMP headquarters to protest the debate next Tuesday.

He and other critics have said the UMP party is not the right forum for such a debate.

Bureau Report