Amsterdam, Netherlands ? The Dutch government said Friday it would outlaw full-length veils like the Muslim burqa and other face-concealing apparel in public places, marking this once-tolerant nation’s latest about-face on questions of culture and assimilation in Europe.

The Netherlands, once considered one of Europe’s most welcoming nations for immigrants and asylum seekers, is deeply divided over government moves to stem the tide of new arrivals and compel them to adopt Dutch ways.

A Muslim leader denounced the proposal as “a big law for a small problem,” in a country where as few as 30 women wear burqas, and the mayor of Amsterdam warned that giving the issue too much attention could backfire.

Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk said the ban was to promote security.

“The Cabinet finds it undesirable that face-covering clothing – including the burqa – is worn in public places for reasons of public order, security and protection of citizens,” Verdonk said in a statement.

“From a security standpoint, people should always be recognizable and from the standpoint of integration, we think people should be able to communicate with one another,” Verdonk told national broadcaster NOS.

She said the ban would include not only the tent-like burqa but full-face helmets and ski masks.

The announcement came after the final meeting of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s Cabinet before national elections Wednesday.

It appeared meant to stake a claim for the right-wing vote and to consolidate the alliance between Balkenende’s Christian Democrats and the free-market Liberal party, which has taken the lead on tightening immigration laws.

If it is re-elected and keeps its promise, a new center-right Dutch government would go further than any other in Europe in legislating restrictions on traditional Muslim dress.

The issue has resonance throughout Europe. Former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw recently caused a stir by saying he wants Muslim women to abandon the full-face veil – a view endorsed by Prime Minister Tony Blair. In France, the center-right’s leading presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy has championed tougher immigration laws that critics say amount to an appeal to far-right voters.

Germany, which has a large Muslim immigrant community, bans teachers in public schools from wearing head scarves. In Belgium, one mayor banned burqas, but there is no general ban in force across the country.

The opposition Labor Party called the announcement a political ploy.

“A general ban is way out of line, and I’m very much worried that in the Muslim community many people will see this as Islam-bashing,” Labor lawmaker Jeroen Dijsselbloem told The Associated Press.