France will study banning Muslim women from wearing veils such as the one worn by this woman walking near the Eiffel Tower. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked a government body to study the legal possibilities of banning face-covering veils in France.

Fillon's letter to the Council of State came the same week a parliamentary panel recommended forbidding burka-like garments in public services but stopped short of recommending a ban of such dress on the street.

The letter, which was released Friday, asks the council to help the government determine how to put in place laws making it illegal to wear all-encompassing veils. The Council of State rules on the validity of French laws.

Fillon said he wants the council to advise on legislation that would lead to the "widest and most effective" application possible of a ban.

President Nicolas Sarkozy favours an all-out ban, saying that such garments have no place in France and that the dress debases women.

Fillon said he wants the council's advice by the end of March. Conservative lawmaker Eric Raoult, the parliamentary panel's No. 2 member, told The Associated Press earlier this week that a ban could be in place by the end of 2010.

Imposing a ban of some nature on all-encompassing veils could be done through a parliamentary resolution. However, Fillon said his government wants a law in order to demonstrate such veils "are not acceptable in our republic."

Fillon's letter stressed the need for a consensus and said it is important not to hurt the feelings of Muslims.