Macron threatens the protesters: clashes and 1,800 arrests shake France

Paris - Ofoq News - French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech to the nation on Sunday, in which he expressed the feelings of “anger” and “shame” that he said the people felt due to the violent events that occurred during demonstrations across the country to protest the high cost of living and poor conditions in schools.

Macron declared: “Those who looted will pay the price for the damage, and those who sought to overthrow the republic’s system will be held accountable,” accusing “rebel elements from far-left groups, joined by many criminals,” of committing “unbridled violence.”

He added: "Some demonstrators say, rightly, that fuel prices have risen excessively. This rise is due to the war against Iran."

Earlier in the day, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Place de la République in Paris and clashed with police forces, after a day of widespread demonstrations and riots across the country.

Reuters reported that police used tear gas during the clashes, and bicycles were set on fire at the site.

The city of Marseille witnessed additional unrest, with local authorities reporting attempts by groups to break into stores that afternoon. Clashes have renewed in the two cities, while authorities across France continue street cleaning operations and assess damage from Saturday's riots.

As mentioned, France woke up on Sunday morning to acts of burning, looting and vandalism in many of its major cities, after a day of mass demonstrations protesting the high cost of living and the deterioration of public services, which ended in riots.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that the number of detainees had risen to about 1,800 people, while about 150 police and gendarmerie members were injured.

According to Nunez, about 550,000 people participated in demonstrations across the country; The CGT union estimated the number at about 800,000.

Many of the marches were peaceful, while groups on the fringes attacked public buildings, set fire to vehicles, and looted stores.

In Paris, about 110,000 demonstrators participated, according to a figure Nunez provided to CNN. After the marches ended, clashes continued into the night: youths set fire to property and vehicles, smashed windows, and attacked stores, and the police responded by using tear gas and assaults to disperse them. Reuters reported that rioters tried to storm the Galeries Lafayette store, vandalized bank branches, and looted a Lacoste store and a store of the telecommunications company SFR.