BRUSSELS, Jan 13: Controversial calls for new Belgian legislation banning headscarves in the country's schools, courts and public administrations has triggered a major political row in this small , traditionally tolerant and increasingly diverse country of 10 million people.

The squabble has split many leading members of the Belgian government, marking the beginning of what looks set to be a difficult New Year for the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.

Critics say the furore over the headscarf is linked to upcoming regional and European parliament elections this summer, with leading politicians deliberately using dangerous anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic rhetoric to win votes.

There is concern, however, that the debate - including references to the so-called rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Belgium and possible civilizational and religious conflicts - will widen the gap between the country's different ethnic communities.

Belgium plays host to Muslim immigrants which are mainly from Morocco, Turkey, Algeria and Tunisia. Although many have climbed up the social ladder, a majority remain on the fringes of society, facing what they describe as both direct and indirect discrimination.

Discussions in Belgium on the wearing of headscarves by Muslim girls and women follows close on the heels of French President Jacques Chirac's much-publicised decision last year to back a ban on the use of conspicuous religious symbols in schools and public administrations.

The planned French law, which is due to be debated in parliament shortly, has already stirred controversy in France and split leaders of the country's five million Muslims.

In comments which have stirred an equally emotional national debate in Belgium, many of the country's leading politicians as well as Patrick Dewael, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, have called for similar measures. "We should do the same thing about it in our country," Dewael, who is also interior minister and close to Prime Minister Verhofstadt, said in a letter reprinted in Belgian newspapers last week.

"The government should remain neutral in all circumstances and be represented as such," Dewael said. "That means no distinctive religious symbols or veils for police officers, judges, clerks or teachers at public schools.

"It is also clear that pupils in a public school cannot wear a veil or a distinctive religious symbol," he added. Adding fuel to the debate, Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel has warned in equally explosive comments that Belgium must step up the fight against Islamic proselytizing.

"What we are worried about is the development of a sort of pseudo-fundamentalist trend which could end up encouraging a miniature clash of civilizations in Belgium," Michel warned in the Le Soir newspaper.

Democracy must be protected and safeguarded, he insisted, adding: "The state must remain impartial. If the veil is a symbol of the submission of women than it is incompatible with an impartial state."

Pointing to other examples of extremist demands, other politicians have warned that some Muslims are demanding special swimming lessons for girls and say there are examples of Muslim women insisting that they will only be treated by female doctors.