President Emmanuel Macron promised French police forces would remain “as long as necessary” in New Caledonia as he arrived in the riot-plagued French Pacific territory.
Macron said the 3,000-strong force sent from France would remain in place – even during the Paris Summer Olympics if necessary.
Six people, including two police officers, were killed and hundreds injured in riots sparked by a controversial electoral reform proposed last week.
The indigenous Kanaks say the political influence of native people will be diluted if more French residents are allowed to vote in local elections.
There have long been tensions between the central government in Paris and the pro-independence Kanaks of New Caledonia, who represent around 40% of the small archipelago.
The group of islands, located between Australia and Fiji, has been French territory since the 19th century. The riots marked the worst unrest seen since the 1980s.
After flying to Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, on Thursday, President Macron said he wanted the return of peace, calm and security “as soon as possible”.
“This is the absolute priority,” said the French leader.
He paid tribute to the victims of the riots while meeting with local political and business leaders.
The summit included separatist leaders, who said beforehand that they hoped it could “breathe new life” into discussions with France.
Macron admitted that the most delicate conversation he had was about politics – and the future of New Caledonia, reports BBC Australian correspondent Katy Watson, adding that he will have a huge job on his hands.
Police have detained 269 people since the violence began on May 13, and New Caledonia is currently in a state of emergency.
But Macron hinted that the state of emergency could be lifted in the coming days, saying: “I personally believe that the state of emergency should not be extended.”
New Caledonia has a population of around 300,000 people, including 112,000 indigenous Kanaks.
Under the 1998 Nouméa Agreement, France agreed to give the territory more political autonomy and to limit voting in provincial and legislative elections to then-residents.
More than 40,000 French citizens have moved to New Caledonia since then.
Last week, the National Assembly in Paris proposed granting the right to vote to French residents who have lived in the territory for 10 years.
As this requires a change in the constitution, the measure faces other obstacles.
The Nouméa agreement allowed for three referenda on the country’s future. Independence was rejected in every case.
The first two showed slim majorities for the rest of France. The third, in December 2021, was boycotted by pro-independence parties because it was held during the Covid pandemic.
