PARIS (AP) — The head of the French Muslim Council says a new foundation will be created to help finance the construction and running of mosques in the country and keep out radical benefactors.

Anouar Kbibech proposed Monday the foundation would be financed by fees paid by actors in the halal food sector.

France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community, is a secular state that prohibits the use of state money for the construction of places of worship.

Prime minister Manuel Valls said Sunday he wants to put an end to the financing from abroad for the construction of mosques.

The debate has been prompted by an attack by two Muslim fanatics on an elderly priest in a Normandy church last week.