French parliament eases immigration laws

The French National Assembly has passed a bill easing the country's strict immigration laws.

The bill -- which was approved after nearly two weeks of debate -- eliminates the requirement for people hosting foreign guests to obtain an official document from local authorities.

The bill also makes it easier for asylum-seekers to obtain residence permits.

This is the third rewrite of the French immigration laws in the last five years.

The latest amendments to the laws were proposed by the Socialist government; the opposition said they would open the doors to mass illegal immigration.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service