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Chirac ends state of emergency
02/01/2006 22:50 - (SA)
Paris - French President Jacques Chirac had lifted from January 4 a state of emergency imposed after urban riots two months ago, which had been originally set to run until late February, said his office on Monday.
The presidency said Chirac took the decision after a meeting with Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to assess the overall security situation in the country.
It said: "The president received the prime minister this morning for a general review of the situation. After the meeting, the president of the republic decided to end the state of emergency from January 4 2006."
The state of emergency, declared under a rarely used colonial-era law, was imposed on November 8 at the height of the rioting that gripped run-down city suburbs across the country for three weeks.
The government extended the measure for three months on November 21, citing the risk of a flare-up of unrest over the New Year period.
But, despite a one-third rise in the number of car-burnings - a grim New Year's ritual in many rough areas - compared to last year, the night passed off without serious violence.
The statement said the president's decision would be discussed at Tuesday's cabinet meeting.
- AFP
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