Riots in New Caledonia

France: Will regain control at any cost

French forces vow to regain control of New Caledonia "at any cost" after last week's unrest, writes AFP. In a televised speech, French government representative Louis Le Franc announces that separatists who take up arms "risk the worst".

The French-ruled island group, located in the Pacific Ocean east of Australia, has been rocked by violent protests and riots over discontent over a bill that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous people the right to vote.

During the unrest, six people have been killed and several hundred injured. Over 200 people have also been arrested.

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"Major operation" is to bring order to New Caledonia

French forces have launched a "major operation" to regain control of a road between New Caledonia's capital Noumea and the international airport, reports AFP.

600 heavily armed gendarmes are on site to secure the road.

The French territory of New Caledonia east of Australia has been rocked by violence and riots for almost a week. Behind the violence is dissatisfaction with new rules about who can vote.

Six people have so far been killed and several hundred injured.