French assembly backs emergency measures extension

France's lower house of Parliament yesterday cleared the first step for an extension in emergency powers to quell an unprecedented wave of urban unrest, as the Prime Minister toured a riot-hit suburb.

A majority of 346 deputies voted in favour of the Bill drawn up by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's government, and 148 against.

Mr Villepin had told Parliament disorder of "unprecedented gravity" justified extending emergency powers for three months.

"The situation remains serious in a great number of districts. We cannot accept that more than 200 cars burn each night," he said, adding that nearly three weeks of rioting had destroyed 8,500 vehicles and 100 public buildings.

About 2,800 people had been detained and 600 jailed, he said.

The Senate, or upper house, debates the law today. Passage of the law seems certain because the ruling centre-right party dominates the two chambers of Parliament.

The government approved emergency powers including curfews last week that went into force on November 9 for 12 days, although only few areas have imposed curfews. Earlier, Mr Villepin travelled to Aulnay-sous-Bois northeast of Paris, a day after President Jacques Chirac said in a national address that the worst civil unrest in almost 40 years pointed to a deep national malaise.

The Prime Minister met local residents, teachers and business leaders during the previously unannounced visit, his first to an area hit by rioting by youths who feel excluded from mainstream society.

"During our meeting this morning I heard a lot of people who really want to make progress, to get ahead, realise their projects, find a job. They should be helped," Mr Villepin said.