French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed dialogue was “necessary” during a hastily arranged visit to New Caledonia on Thursday (May 23) after deadly riots triggered by a contested electoral reform hit the Pacific island.

“In the coming hours and days, massive new operations will be scheduled where necessary, and republican order in its entirety will be re-established because there is no other choice,” Macron said during a meeting with political and business leaders in the capital Noumea.

The unrest in the French overseas territory has killed six people and left a trail of looted shops as well as torched cars and businesses since they began more than a week ago.

With the island under a state of emergency, Macron said additional security totalling 3,000 personnel would remain, even during the Paris Olympics if required.

(Reuters)