Dec. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Almost half of all Americans think the federal government should limit the civil rights of Muslims as part of the nation's fight against terrorism, according to a survey released by Cornell University today.

Forty-four percent of poll participants said the civil liberties of Muslims should be restricted, with 27 percent of respondents favoring mandatory registration with the government, the survey said. Twenty-six percent said authorities should monitor mosques, while 29 percent supported undercover law enforcement infiltrating Muslim volunteer and civic groups.

Republicans were more likely than Democrats to support tougher restrictions on the civil liberties of Muslims and people with Middle-Eastern heritage. People who described themselves as highly religious were more likely to view Islamic counties as supporting violence, as well as being fanatical and dangerous.

Forty-eight percent of Americans said the group's rights shouldn't be restricted. The survey, which was commissioned by the Media and Society Research Group at Cornell's Department of Communication, is based on 715 telephone interviews. It has a margin of error of 3.6 percent, Cornell said in a statement on its Web site.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jessica Brice in San Francisco at jbrice1@Bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 17, 2004 23:40 EST