France tightens security in anticipation of weekend protests

French authorities have announced tightened security measures in a bid to prevent a repeat of the violent unrest that hit last weekend's protests, Al Jazeera reports.

President Emmanuel Macron was due to meet his defence council on Friday — a gathering of top ministers and officials — and to meet security forces, as cities across the country confirmed limits on gatherings and public transport.

Macron's announcement on Thursday that only union demonstrations would be authorised this weekend prompted harsh criticism from student groups whose recent demonstrations against school conditions were joined by groups protesting high living costs and other grievances. The main student union UNEF has called for rallies on Saturday, and the Yellow Vest movement — which re-entered the French political consciousness last weekend — has filed plans for a march through central Paris.

Paris has extended a nighttime curfew until Monday, while Marseille and Lyon have banned gatherings, introduced curfews, and restricted public transport for Saturday. Police deployments will be increased by 20 percent compared with last weekend, after the government was accused of being blindsided by the scale of the unrest.

More than half a million people gathered across France last Saturday for demonstrations that spiralled into violence and looting. Since then, 2,700 people have been arrested, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Macron, who blamed "seditious" ultra-left groups for the unrest, was due to announce "additional decisions" after the defence council meeting. Shops and businesses in major cities have been urged to close; the Louvre and the Louis Vuitton Foundation will be closed on Saturday.