France's top administrative body has advised the government that any total ban on face-covering Islamic veils could be unconstitutional.
The State Council also said a ban could be justified in some public places.
Prime Minster Francois Fillon had asked the council for a legal opinion before drawing up a law on the subject.
However, an MP from President Nicolas Sarkozy's party was quoted as saying that those drafting the legislation might ignore Tuesday's ruling.
In the ruling, the council said any law could be in violation of the French constitution as well as the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
"It appears to the State Council that a general and absolute ban on the full veil as such can have no incontestable judicial basis," it said.
Read more @ BBC News
Good. How on earth can you justify banning an item of clothing? And of course anyone wearing the veil should have to take it off upon request by the police and in certain public places and in most jobs, like any clothing that covers the face.
France is worse than China in violating human rights.
Lanat on France.
How could they oppress women like that.
I hope the French get severe punishment from God for their stupid acttions preventing basic freedom for muslim sisters.
Ayatollah rightly named America as "Great Satan".
www.presstv.ir
China also abuses the rights of Muslims too, and goes further than most western countries so I cannot say it is any better than France.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Belgium will ban the veil any day now.