Partial curfews take effect in major French cities following riots

Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other major French cities have imposed partial curfews variously restricting people and gatherings in areas of the city centre after a weekend of violent riots and looting. The French prime minister declares the curfews will continue "wherever the situation requires" decided locally by prefects together with mayors.

In the past weekend, at least 2,400 arrests are made nationwide in a single day of unrest over the cost of living.

A police helicopter circled over Paris' Place de la Republique overnight, a central hub for riots, arson and looting that targeted public buildings and businesses.

The fresh curfew that runs between 11pm and 6am local time prohibits anyone from entering or remaining on the Place de la Republique and the shopping neighbourhood of Les Halles.

Workers have been clearing debris in streets and graffitis from the statue of Republique on Tuesday after the first quiet night.

Cities including Lyon have issued curfews for children and teenagers under 18 starting from Monday and for the next two days from 8pm to 6am. Nice also imposed curfew for minors from 9pm.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu says the measures have a simple objective - an immediate return to order - that will help restore calm through dialogue between mayors and prefects.

He tells the National Assembly the deployment of police forces for October 24 will be "massive" in view of more demonstrations in store.

The government ministers have also pledged a reinforced security operation.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has admitted "intelligence and foresight failures," is continuing his Gulf tour in Bahrain for talks with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to secure oil and diesel supplies in a bid to bring down prices.

Macron reportedly pointed to what he framed as "visible foreign interference" in the protests, adding he'll be meeting intelligence services on Thursday ahead of new protests planned on Saturday.