Sarkozy vows to continue expulsions of Roma from France

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will continue his controversial crackdown on Roma (gypsies). He was speaking at his first cabinet meeting after the summer break, amid growing questions over his leadership.

Hundreds of Roma have been sent back to Romania and Bulgaria and more than 100 illegal camps dismantled. The operation has been criticised by human rights watchdogs and Mr Sarkozy's opponents, who accuse him of using the issue to boost his flagging support.

Romania has questioned whether the repatriations comply with European law and the EU Commission has said it is concerned about them. The Commission is to report on the expulsions next week, according to BBC News.

France, which says it expelled 10,000 Roma last year, says it is acting in accordance with EU law by repatriating Roma who have been in France for more than three months without work. It also says most of the repatriations are voluntary.

About 635 Roma have been sent back to Romania and Bulgaria, after their camps were shut down in a crackdown announced last month, Immigration Minister Eric Besson said on Wednesday.

Mr Sarkozy has said the Roma camps are sources of crime, prostitution, trafficking and child exploitation. At the cabinet meeting, he urged his team "not to get sidetracked by useless controversies," Immigration Minister Eric Besson said.

Former prime minister and likely presidential challenger Dominique de Villepin said the policy was "shameful.""It's an electoral strategy. This will contribute nothing to the security of French people."