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New powers to tackle French riots By Agencies ( Wednesday, November 09, 2005)
The French Government has authorised a range of emergency powers in an effort to combat riots that have broken out across France for 12 straight nights.
The decision, announced by the interior minister, will enable local authorities to impose curfews and allow police to carry out raids without warrants.
The powers were invoked under a law from 1955. It is the first time it has been implemented in mainland France.
Unrest continued overnight, although Paris saw a lull for the first time.
But there was no such hiatus in other parts of the country, with 1,173 cars burnt and 330 arrests made.
The nightly protests have gripped deprived areas with large African and Arab communities where unemployment is rife and residents complain of racism and discrimination.
The plan, announced on Monday, was approved in a specially called Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
Mr Sarkozy is due to discuss the practicalities with local prefects during the afternoon.
The curfews will be imposed under a 1955 law which allows a state of emergency to be declared in all or parts of France.
The law was originally passed to combat violence in Algeria in its war of independence against France from 1954-1962.
As well as being invoked in Algeria, it was also used in New Caledonia in 1985.
Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin told TF1 television on Monday the government would do whatever it took to bring the violence under control.
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