New Caledonia's Pacific neighbours called for de-escalation and a return to dialogue between France and the island territory's political parties, after a third night of violent riots that have killed four people and led to hundreds of arrests.
France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia that came into force at 5 a.m. local time (1800 GMT Wednesday), giving authorities additional powers to ban gatherings and forbid people from moving around the island.
Rioting broke out over a new bill, adopted by lawmakers in Paris on Tuesday, that will let French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years vote in provincial elections - a move some local leaders fear will dilute the indigenous Kanak vote.
The protests were organised by Field Action Co-ordination Cell (CCAT), which was condemned on Thursday by France's High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, who differentiated the organisation from the major pro-independence political party, FLNKS, which has called for calm.
Armed forces were protecting New Caledonia's two airports and port, he said, adding that at least four alleged instigators were under house arrest.
A representative of CCAT said they did not know who was under house arrest.
"There will not be the army in the streets of New Caledonia. It is a question of maintaining order," French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said on Thursday, adding that numbers of police and gendarmes in New Caledonia would rise from 1,700 to 2,700 by Friday evening, with a small number of soldiers assisting.
Three young Kanak have died in the riots, and a 22-year-old police official died of a gunshot wound. Police had arrested the person responsible for shooting two of the Kanak who died, he said.
In an interview on France 2, Darmanin appeared to suggest foreign interference, saying "some independence leaders had made a deal with Azerbaijan", but gave no evidence.
Several leaders of Pacific Island states, which are threatened by rising sea levels, this week visited Azerbaijan as it prepares to host the United Nations climate conference COP29 later in the year.
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