French forces act to take control of key road in New Caledonia

Territory has been convulsed by violence since May 13; factors include economic woes

French forces launched a "major operation" on May 19 to regain control of a key road linking New Caledonia's capital Noumea to the main international airport, after a sixth night of violent unrest.

Officials said more than 600 heavily armed gendarmes were deployed to secure Route Territoriale i, the main north-south artery connecting the restive capital with the rest of the island and the outside world.

The Pacific archipelago has been convulsed by violent unrest since May 13. The local authorities say six people have been killed - including two gendarmes - and hundreds have been injured.

The violence has been fuelled by economic malaise, ethnic tensions and longstanding opposition to French rule. Around 230 people have been detained, the authorities said.

Measures such as a night-time curfew, state of emergency, ban on Tik Tok and arrival of hundreds of troops from mainland France failed to prevent more unrest overnight from May 18 to 19.

Unidentified groups set two fires and raided a petrol station, according to the office of New Caledonia's high commissioner.

But the authorities insisted the situation is improving. "The night has been calmer," the commissioner's office said.

Local media reported that a public library was among the buildings burned.

The mayor's office told AFP that there was "no way of confirming for the moment" as the "neighbourhood remains inaccessible".