Nightly curfews set to begin in France after peaceful protests give way to violence and looting

PARIS (AP) — 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. A fire consisting of bicycles and furniture caused by vandals at Rue Reaumur during the national demonstration on Saturday to protest against the high cost of living the loss of social rights and the lack of resources in National Education in Paris.

PARIS -- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, following this weekend's violence that notably targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds 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 on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation. Macron refused Laurent Nuñez's resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron's office said in a statement Monday.

PARIS -- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, following this weekend's violence that notably targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds 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 on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation. Macron refused Laurent Nuñez's resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron's office said in a statement Monday.

PARIS -- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, following this weekend's violence that notably targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds 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 on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation. Macron refused Laurent Nuñez's resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron's office said in a statement Monday.

PARIS -- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says he has instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, following this weekend's violence that notably targeted city halls, other public buildings and hundreds 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 on Sunday but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation. Macron refused Laurent Nuñez's resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” Macron's office said in a statement Monday.