UPDATE - Paris, Lyon renew curfews for 3rd consecutive night amid unrest in France

UPDATES WITH FRESH CURFEW ANNOUNCEMENT IN LYON; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; MINOR EDITS

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Authorities in Paris and Lyon renewed curfews in parts of both French cities for a third consecutive night Wednesday following violence and looting during nationwide demonstrations.

In Paris, the restrictions will prohibit adults and minors from entering designated areas around Place de la Republique and Les Halles from 11 pm Wednesday until 6 am Thursday, the police prefecture said on US social media platform X.

In a separate announcement, the prefecture said gatherings and demonstrations would be banned in certain areas of Paris from 8 pm Wednesday until 6 am Thursday.

The measures follow instructions from Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to protect people and property from further violence and looting, according to the prefecture.

In Lyon, Rhone Prefect Etienne Guyot also extended a curfew and a ban on gatherings, broadcaster BFMTV reported.

The Lyon curfew will run from 11 pm Wednesday until 6 am Thursday, starting two hours later than the previous restrictions, according to the broadcaster.

France has introduced localized curfews in several cities following unrest during Oct. 17 protests against rising living costs and deteriorating education conditions.

The restrictions come as authorities prepare for further Yellow Vests demonstrations Saturday.

Lecornu has pledged a "massive" police deployment, while Nunez said security arrangements would be revised to improve police mobility and responsiveness.

Yellow Vests organizers have submitted plans for a march from Place de la Bastille to Place de l’Opera in Paris on Saturday, although police had yet to confirm the route, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

Necva Taştan Sevinç