BREAKING NEWS IN FRANCE: The number of detentions reached 1200

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu made a statement to the French BFMTV channel after yesterday's demonstrations of the yellow vests.

Lecornu stated that 1200 people were detained within the scope of the demonstrations and 150 gendarmes and police were injured.

Pointing out that it is time for the leftist Unyielding France (LFI) Party to choose whose side it is on, Lecornu said, "You are either on the side of the republic and therefore the police forces that ensure public order, protect people and property, and enforce the law, or you are on the side of those who destroy."

Lecornu noted that the country has reached a point of no return. Police sources announced that a person who fell ill during the demonstration in Paris was taken to the first aid center. The protester in question lost his life while he was brought in front of the center.

According to the statement of the Paris Police Department, this person died as a result of cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Prime Minister Lecornu stated that the police forces faced serious violence to protect citizens within the scope of the actions.

Stating that the police forces were given clear instructions, Lecornu noted that they were asked to prevent abuses, protect people and property, detain those involved in crimes and bring them to justice.

Lecornu stated that he was determined to carry through the parliamentary discussions on the bill that would require those who cause havoc to pay for the damage they cause, and emphasized that public money should finance public services, not the damage caused by those who cause havoc.

Regional governor Maurice Barate reported that the city hall in Limoges, France, was largely unusable due to a fire started by masked protesters during the protests that intensified on Saturday evening.

Describing the extensive damage to the 143-year-old building as "a disaster for cultural heritage", Barate stated that, except for the west wing of the building, the roof collapsed on the lower floors and two-thirds of the exterior was destroyed.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of masked protesters set fire to a police vehicle in front of the city hall, broke the windows, entered the building and started a fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene late Saturday evening to bring the fire under control. The governor later announced in his statement on Sunday morning that the fire in the building was under control.