PARIS, May 10 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday promulgated a law on the restitution of cultural property acquired through illicit appropriation, according to France's official gazette Le Journal Officiel published on Sunday.

The law seeks to establish a clearer and simpler legal framework for returning cultural assets acquired by France through illicit means, including looting, theft and sales conducted under coercion. It applies to cultural property acquired between Nov. 20, 1815 and April 23, 1972, excluding military items and certain archaeological objects.

Under France's longstanding principle of the inalienability of public collections, cultural objects could previously be returned to their countries of origin only through specific legislation on a case-by-case basis and in limited numbers.

The French Senate on Thursday approved the draft law with 343 votes in favor and none against, after the revised draft law had already been approved by the National Assembly on Wednesday with 141 votes in favor and none against. ■