French prime minister calls for ‘local and partial’ curfews after riots
Interior minister concedes police ‘lost control’, with forces in cities including Paris and Lyon overwhelmed after ‘lack of anticipation’
TL;DR
- France's prime minister is calling for local and partial curfews following violent weekend protests.
- The interior minister conceded police "lost control" in some areas due to a "lack of anticipation" and insufficient numbers.
- Thousands of shops were looted, and nearly 2,400 people were arrested.
- A state of emergency is a potential option, but partial curfews are considered more appropriate.
- Protests were larger than anticipated, with peaceful demonstrations hijacked by violent rioters.
- Intelligence failures are cited as a reason for the state's vulnerability.
- Rioting and looting continued on Sunday, with further arrests in Paris.
- Protesters also targeted the Louvre Museum in solidarity with student movements.
- The protests highlight issues of cost of living and police repression.