French PM blames 'ultra-left' groups for weekend riots, promises 'massive' security deployment

French PM blames 'ultra-left' groups for weekend riots, promises 'massive' security deployment French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Tuesday during a session of the National Assembly that authorities would mobilise a "massive" security presence next weekend after organisers announced plans for new protests. Lecornu also accused ultra-left groups of fomenting an "insurrection" leading to the past weekend's riots on the sidelines of nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and education funding. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Tuesday accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an "insurrectionary plan" that led to violent rioting over the weekend on the sidelines of nationwide protests over the cost of living. Read moreLive: French govt plans 'massive' police operation, some military forces for Saturday’s protests Addressing a raucous session of parliament, Lecornu condemned "the planning, in certain locations, of an insurrectionary plan led by far-left and ultra-left fringe groups". He added that the authorities would not tolerate such groups "marching on the Elysée or Matignon", referring to the offices and residences of the president and premier in Paris. Read moreAnger at rising fuel prices bolsters Europe's far right as unrest sweeps France France will deploy some military forces to reinforce police during protests slated for this coming Saturday, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said. "We will deploy the Sentinelle force, obviously as a substitute to interior security forces ... mostly to free police and gendarmes in their mission to maintain order," Nunez told the National Assembly. Read more'Like we had a war': France left reeling after nationwide violent protests Lecornu said police deployment for Satuday's demonstrations would be "massive" and that his goal was for an "immediate return to order". (FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters) Keywords for this article