Security force to stay in N. Caledonia 'as long as necessary'

The 3,000 security reinforcements deployed to end deadly unrest in New Caledonia will stay as long as necessary, even during the Olympic Games in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday ahead of a meeting with officials in Noumea.

Macron also observed a minute of silence for the six people killed during the recent days of unrest and expressed his opposition to extending a state of emergency as long as roadblocks were removed in the French Pacific territory.