DARMANIN: UNRESTS POINTED TO FAILINGS IN SECURITY SERVICES

PARIS, OCTOBER 19 /SRNA-Reuters/ – Unrests in France over the weekend pointed to shortcomings in the security services` handling of threats posed by far-left protesters, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said.

He said that the security services had been very efficient in dealing with threats from terrorists and organised criminal groups, but less efficient when it came to far-left protesters.

"Clearly, there is no efficient fight against the far left," the justice minister told France 2 television.

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously rejected an offer by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to resign following major unrest over the weekend.

Macron said that Nuñez should remain in office to ensure the preservation of the chain of command within the police and security forces.