The French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, has accused the New York Times of painting an "unacceptable" picture of his country with an article about discrimination against Muslim women.
The report was prompted by the debate over controversial bans on Islamic swimsuits in many French Riviera towns.
Mr Valls said such bans were part of a "fight for the freedom of women".
The paper said it stood by the article. Some Muslims say they are being targeted unfairly over burkinis.
An increasing number of court rulings have rejected bans on the full-body swimsuit, including in Nice, where an attack on 14 July killed 84 people during Bastille Day celebrations.
Some of the women quoted by the NYT said the clothing was a chance for them to take part in activities, such as going to the beach, in line with their religious beliefs.
Many also complained of an alleged discrimination by non-Muslims exacerbated by the recent attacks in France and Belgium, and of restrictions in wearing the headscarf, banned in French public buildings. [BBC] Read more
