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Almost half French oppose publishing Mohammed cartoons: poll

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A display copy of the latest issue of satirical French weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo is pictured at the Albertine bookstore in Manhattan, New York. Photo: Reuters

Almost half of French oppose publication of cartoons depicting Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, according to a poll Sunday, as global debate deepened on the limits of free speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo killings.

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The Ifop poll found 42 per cent believe Mohammed cartoons seen as offensive by many Muslims should not be published. Fifty per cent said they backed “limitations on free speech online and on social networks.”

However, 57 per cent said opposition from Muslims should not prevent the cartoons being published, according to the poll, published in Le Journal du Dimanche.

The poll found overwhelming support -- 81 per cent -- for stripping French nationality from dual nationals who have committed an act of terrorism on French soil.

Sixty eight per cent favoured banning French citizens from returning to the country if “they are suspected of having gone to fight in countries or regions controlled by terrorist groups,” such as Syria.

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The same percentage backed bans on people suspected of wanting to join jihadist movements from leaving France.

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