Armed clashes occurred overnight in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory. This was reported by High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, the representative of the Paris government, during a press conference.
“Large caliber weapons, hunting rifles, were used to shoot at the gendarmes,” said Le Franc, according to whom “there were no deaths”.
The local government has launched an appeal for “reason and calm” after the riots that devastated Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia.
The clashes occurred after the National Assembly in Paris launched a discussion involving a constitutional review of the archipelago’s status which has been contested by separatists.