France aims to end continued riots with new policing tactics and localized curfews

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects, the government’s regional representatives, to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews to prevent more rioting and looting, following weekend violence that targeted city halls, other public buildings and thousands of businesses across the country.Speaking after an emergency meeting with top government officials, Lecornu said “on Saturday, despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle” as he defended the work of police officers faced with violent groups of people.Lecornu said details of the areas to be placed under curfew will be provided later Monday.The instructions come as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation Sunday, but President Emmanuel Macron refused it “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron’s office said in a statement Monday.He instructed Nuñez “to take all necessary steps to ensure full transparency about the failures in planning and intelligence-gathering that led to the violence,” the statement said.Macron also asked for the introduction of “new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible” to put an end to violent events.On Sunday evening, groups set fires to trash bins, bicycles and other objects in the streets and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities.That followed major violence during nationwide protests Saturday against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.

At least 2,400 people were arrested across the country.Authorities estimated Monday that at least 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted in several cities in the weekend violence.In Marseille, the prefect banned any protest or other gathering from noon to 8 p.m.Monday.“I submitted my resignation because I am responsible for everything that is happening,” Nuñez said on France Inter radio.

“Now, the real issue...