Barbados Today

BBC – French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has vowed to “restore national unity” after violence broke out during a fourth consecutive weekend of protests.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets on Saturday – the latest day of “yellow vest” demonstrations against fuel tax rises and high living costs.

More than 1,700 people were arrested, but the violence was not on the same level as a week earlier.

Discussions with peaceful protesters “must continue”, Philippe said.

He added: “No tax should jeopardise our national unity. We must now rebuild that national unity through dialogue, through work, and by coming together.”

He said President Emmanuel Macron – who many protesters want to stand down – would soon “put forward measures to foster this dialogue”.

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner praised police – who had been deployed in force – for containing much of the unrest.

What happened on Saturday?

An estimated 125,000 people took part in marches across the country on Saturday, the interior ministry said.

Nearly 90,000 officers had been deployed, including 8,000 in Paris where 12 armoured vehicles were also used.

Around 10,000 people demonstrated in the capital, where the scenes were the most destructive. Windows were smashed, cars were burned and shops were looted.

Video footage showed protesters hit by rubber bullets – including in the face. At least three members of the press were among those hit.

Seventeen police officers were also hurt, Castaner said.

Protest timeline

• 17 November: 282,000 protesters – one dead, 409 wounded – 73 in custody
• 24 November: 166,000 protesters – 84 wounded – 307 in custody
• 1 December: 136,000 protesters – 263 wounded – 630 in custody
• 8 December : 125,000 protesters – 118 wounded – 1,723 arrested