PARIS--France's government, hoping to strengthen national identity in a period of heavy immigration, announced on Monday a series of measures to bolster integration, including ordering all schools to fly the French flag.

The plans were unveiled by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and marked the end of an often ill-tempered, three-month nationwide debate on what it means to be French. Critics from across the political spectrum slammed the whole process, which was instigated by President Nicolas Sarkozy, saying it was divisive and would fuel anti-Muslim sentiment.

But Fillon defended the debate and said a commission of experts would delve deeper into the issue, adding that Sarkozy would make a keynote speech on identity in April. "The question of national identity is destined to be debated over the long term in a calm, natural and non-partisan fashion because there is nothing worse than silence," Fillon said after meeting ministers to agree to a follow-up on the debate.

Among the measures he announced were more civic education lessons for young people and the instigation of a "solemn" ceremony for when immigrants became citizens. He also said the declaration of human rights should be hung in every classroom.

"The question of national identity is no longer taboo," said Fillon, flanked by Immigration Minister Eric Besson.

National identity was a key theme in Sarkozy's successful campaign for the presidency in 2007 and he reignited the debate last year, calling on Besson to organise town hall meetings across France to discuss the topic. Leftist opponents said it was an awkward attempt by Sarkozy to distract the public from a series of gaffes and economic woes that have left his approval ratings at record lows in the run up to important regional elections slated for March.

It was also met with unease and even anger in France's 5-million strong Muslim population, with critics seeing the debate as an attack on immigrants from north Africa, many of whom maintain strong links with their old countries.

The discussions coincided with a separate controversy on whether to ban Muslim women from wearing the face-covering veils in public places, leading some Muslims to feel victimised. "This debate is sterile and dangerous electioneering," said Jamel Debbouze, a popular Parisian-born comedian of Moroccan background.