France Riot Watch: State of Emergency Lifted
French President Jacques Chirac reviews the troops during the traditional New Year ceremony followed by the first weekly cabinet meeting of the year at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006. France’s Cabinet approved the lifting of a state of emergency imposed during three weeks of rioting and arson across the country, a minister confirmed.
Reuters has France lifts emergency measures imposed in riots
France’s conservative government lifted a state of emergency on Tuesday that was introduced last November to help quell rioting by youths in rundown suburbs that was the worst violence in the country in nearly 40 years.
The decision was made after calmer than expected New Year celebrations that officials had feared might trigger new violent protests against racism and unemployment by youths of African and Arab origin, as well as whites living in the poor areas.
The state of emergency gave regional officials power to impose curfews and carry out searches during the day or at night without a judge’s order. Opposition leaders criticised the measures as excessive and few towns actually imposed them.
Almost 9,000 cars were burnt out and 3,000 people were arrested in three weeks of violence.
At the height of last month’s riots, 2,400 cars were burnt in one night
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin smiles as he arrives at the Elysee Palace for the traditional New Year’s greetings to President Jacques Chirac followed by the weekly cabinet meeting, in Paris, Tuesday Jan. 3, 2006.
“It seems today that the conditions that justified maintaining the state of emergency no longer exist,” said a government statement after the weekly cabinet meeting that approved lifting the emergency measures.
“The situation today is not completely satisfactory, but it seems mostly calm,” government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope told reporters.
Stay Tuned…….
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France Riot Watch: New Years Alert for Renewed Riots
France Riot Watch: Chirac Vows Firm Response to Unrest
France Riot Watch: France Extends State of Emergency for Three Months
France Riot Watch: More Cars Torched Overnight
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