Macron says police reinforcements to stay in riot-hit New Caledonia as long as needed

Police reinforcements in New Caledonia will stay as long as needed, President Emmanuel Macron said on May 23 after viewing areas devastated by deadly riots triggered by a contested electoral reform in the Frenchruled Pacific island.

 

His hastily arranged visit comes after six people were killed in riots that have left a trail of looted shops, torched cars and businesses since they began more than a week ago.

"In the coming hours and days, massive new operations will be scheduled where necessary, and republican order in its entirety will be re-established because there is no other choice," Mr Macron said during a meeting with political and business leaders of the island in the capital, Noumea.

Roads across the island remained blocked by protesters' barricades on May 23, and residents shared advice on social media on safe routes to find food, petrol and medicine.

Mr Macron earlier flew by helicopter over areas devastated by arson, where bulldozers worked to clear the rubble. Mayors from these worst-hit suburbs joined his meeting at France's High Commission, along with pro-French and pro-independence leaders.

Describing the riots as "an unprecedented insurrection whose degree of violence no one would have anticipated", Mr Macron said the additional security totalling 3,000 personnel would remain, even during the Paris Olympics from July 26 to Aug 11 if required.