Badilisha Lugha: Kiswahili
Search
HomeLocalInternationalBusinessSportsWed, Nov 09, 2005
 KBC TV
 KBC English Service
 KBC Kiswahili Service
 Metro Television
 Metro FM Radio
 Coro FM Radio
 KBC Central Service
 KBC Eastern Service
 KBC Western Service
 Pwani FM Radio
 About KBC
 How to Advertise
 Broadcast Services
 Calendar of Events
 Jobs@KBC
 Talk to us
 Regional Offices
KBC Archives
 KBC Catalogue
 KBC Tenders



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.



   ©2002,2003, 2004 kbc.co.ke. Terms and Conditions. All Rights Reserved.