French President Jacques Chirac has said Islamic head scarves are a sort of 'aggression' that is difficult for his countrymen to accept.

"We cannot accept ostentatious displays, of whatever sort, of religious proselytising," he said in Tunisia on the last day of a state visit to the Muslim country.

France has long been debating whether laws must be enacted to protect the secular character of public schools uniforms. Several instances have been reported where Muslim students were prevented from wearing traditional Islamic head coverings.

Chirac is likely to make his position clear on the issue soon.

"In our public education, the presence of the veil has something aggressive about it," he said. "It is certain that we must, one way or another, ensure that the secular principle is respected."