France unrest: Macron vows ban on 'illegitimate' protests in coming days

Macron said that he will ban any protests which are not by organised groups such as unions French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said "illegitimate" protests would be banned in the coming days, as authorities stepped up security measures ahead of another weekend of demonstrations following widespread riots and looting across the country.Macron also announced plans to convene a defence council meeting on Friday to review the security situation, with fresh protests expected over the weekend.Speaking after a meeting with intelligence officials, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and senior ministers, Macron said demonstrations organised by recognised groups, including trade unions, would be offered alternative routes to protect businesses from further damage. "France will bar protests that are not organised by unions in coming days," he said, as quoted by Reuters.The French president further blamed "seditious" ultra-left groups and vandals for the violence that swept across France last Saturday, when masked protesters clashed with police, looted shops and set vehicles on fire.His remarks came as authorities banned demonstrations planned for Thursday in several major cities, inclu...