PARIS (AP) - French officials were on guard today after an al-Qaida affiliate threatened vengeance for President Nicolas Sarkozy's criticism of the face-covering veils worn by some Muslim women.

France is maintaining "very great vigilance" toward actions and statements by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or North Africa, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said in a briefing.

"French authorities reaffirm their determination to fight terrorism," he added.

The Algeria-based group issued a statement on Islamic Web sites vowing to "seek vengeance against France" over Sarkozy's comments about face-covering Muslim veils.

Sarkozy said last week the burqa would not be "welcome" in France and would imprison women.