Macron, 'we will protect our cities also by banning some gatherings'

The prefects of France will be able to "take decisions to protect our cities", including that of "banning some demonstrations". French President Emmanuel Macron announced this while speaking to the nation after yesterday's street clashes and looting across the country.

"Whoever destroyed must pay, whoever looted must reimburse," Macron said, expressing solidarity with the police.

"Yesterday, despite their professionalism, the police forces suffered unprecedented violence. I asked the government to draw all the necessary lessons regarding intelligence activity; there will be maximum transparency. The investigations will be conducted with the utmost firmness", he continued.

He then invited ''all the parties and trade unions to unambiguously condemn all forms of violence. The country needs order, not escalation."

And six months before the presidential elections he launched an appeal: "All those who today claim that the urgent thing is to take to the streets have only one objective: to dirty the debate. Confrontations must not take place on the street or through violence. They must take place with respect, never in disorder or destruction. Our country deserves a good presidential election in six months."