PARIS: France has witnessed widespread unrest, looting and vandalism during protests, prompting authorities to consider limited curfew measures in affected areas to restore public order.
According to Reuters, more than 2,400 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 police officers were injured during the unrest.
Thousands of businesses were reportedly affected, with shops in Paris and other cities suffering damage and looting.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government was considering targeted restrictions in affected areas rather than imposing a nationwide curfew.
He also did not completely rule out the possibility of declaring a state of emergency.
President Emmanuel Macron rejected the resignation offer submitted by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and instructed him to take effective measures to improve public security and address shortcomings in the response to the unrest.
Authorities reported damage to commercial establishments in Paris and Marseille. In the central French city of Limoges, the city hall was reportedly set on fire.
The unrest has been linked to public dissatisfaction over inflation, rising living costs, public services and government policies.
However, the precise causes and scale of the demonstrations require confirmation from the original reports.
The government has also announced temporary employment protection measures to support affected businesses, while officials continue efforts to restore order.
Labour organisations have announced further strikes and demonstrations for November 5, raising concerns about the possibility of renewed disruption across the country.