The state of emergency in New Caledonia that was imposed to quell deadly rioting will be lifted, the French presidency said, adding 480 gendarmes were being sent to the Pacific territory as reinforcements. Seven people have been killed in New Caledonia since riots over planned voting reforms erupted on May 13. In total, around 3,500 troops have been deployed to the archipelago, where two gendarmes died during the riots over planned voting reforms. Macron pledged during his lightning trip to New Caledonia that the planned voting reforms "will not be forced through". The FLNKS party reiterated on Saturday its demand for the withdrawal of the voting reforms after meeting with Macron.

Source: Irish Independent May 27, 2024 14:29 UTC