French police continue protest, ignoring President Hollande’s call for calm

For the fifth night running, French police have continued unauthorised demonstrations saying they are no longer sufficiently equipped even to defend themselves.

Some 3,000 of them took to the streets on Friday night in a movement which shows no sign of abating despite President Francois Hollande’s government attempts to defuse tensions just months before a presidential election.

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Speaking from a European Council meeting in Brussels, Hollande said he would meet police representatives at his office early next week to hear their grievances.

Police discontent was fuelled by an incident in a town near Paris earlier this month, where a gang petrol-bombed four police officers in a patrol car.

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