Man 'denied French citizenship over degrading views' Published duration 9 June 2011

image caption It may be getting harder for immigrants to become French

An Algerian man living in France has been denied French citizenship because of his "degrading" attitude towards women, media report.

An inquiry showed the man did not respect the principle of equality between the sexes, Europe 1 radio quotes a French official as saying.

It adds the unprecedented decision signals tough new requirement for obtaining nationality.

The unnamed man is said to have been married to a French citizen for years.

An interior ministry official quoted by Europe 1 insisted the rejection was justified.