Article published on the 2009-08-20 Latest update 2009-08-20 14:16 TU
A French policewoman inspects the graffitti on a Muslim religious centre in Toul, eastern France, 19 August, 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)
The attack on the mosque in Toul is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Wednesday.
It was daubed with inscriptions saying "France for the French", "Here it's Nazi" and "Don't touch my pig," along with Nazi swastikas.
"This is an act of cowardice," said Nurdin Hamza, head of the local Maghrebi association.
"Whether it is a mosque or a church, a synagogue, a Buddhist temple, or any other public place, we will always condemn this sort of act."
Two youths in their 20s were arrested hours after the vandalism, French television said, giving no other information.
According to the police, the youths were caught spraying swastikas onto the wall of a kebab restaurant in a nearby town.
Sarkozy contacted the head of the French Muslim Council, Mohammed Moussaoui, to express his "indignation" and promised to "ensure those responsible are punished", the president's office said.
2009-06-17 17:28 TU