France: Curfews issued in Paris, Nice after unrest

French authorities imposed curfews in parts of several cities on Monday night in response to criticism over security failings after cost-of-living and anti-government protests descended into rioting and looting over the weekend.

In the capital, Paris, police issued a curfew around the Place de la Republique and Les Halles from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. local time (9:00 p.m. to 04:00 UTC) on Tuesday morning, while protests were banned in certain other areas from 8 p.m.

"A police deployment is in place to ensure strict compliance with these measures," read a police statement.

On France's south coast, the mayor of Nice signed an order installing a curfew for minors in the city center overnight while nearby Marseille also banned gatherings and demonstrations.

Sources in Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's office told the Reuters news agency that curfews had also been set for minors between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. over the next two days in the northern city of Lille and the nearby towns of Douai, Wattignies and Denain with the agreement of local mayors.

"My determination to restore order is absolute," Lecornu told reporters, ruling out blanket curfews in Paris but not a potential state of emergency.