Rap 'not cause of French riots'

The French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, has dismissed claims by some of his party colleagues that rap music fuelled suburban rioting in France. Mr de Villepin told French radio that he wanted to avoid finger-pointing about the origins of the unrest. But he said that the courts should deal with lyrics that overstepped the mark. About 200 MPs have urged the justice ministry to prosecute seven rap groups over allegedly provocative lyrics. A probe has begun into one group."