INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACKS

PARIS, NOVEMBER 1 /SRNA/ - French authorities have launched an investigation into "attempted murder" following a Molotov cocktail attack on security forces during protests this weekend, the prosecutor's office said.

"Explosive devices were thrown at around 15 gendarmes, as well as police officers," the statement said.

Paris police earlier reported that hundreds of demonstrators had attacked security forces with "projectiles", including Molotov cocktails, AFP reported.

No suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez earlier condemned what he described as an "extraordinary" level of violence among some demonstrators, noting that security forces personnel had suffered burns in Molotov cocktail attacks.

He also said that 565 people had been arrested across the country yesterday.

Protests are continuing across France for the third consecutive weekend, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in Paris from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in an effort to contain the unrest.