Hundreds arrested in Paris as protests unfold

GBnews 24 desk//

Police in Paris have fired rubber bullets and tear gas as a fourth weekend of anti-government protests across France turned violent.

Almost 1,000 people have been taken into custody nationwide.

Parisian hospital authorities said 126 people had been injured in the city, but none seriously. At least three police officers were also hurt.

The “yellow vest” movement opposed fuel tax rises but ministers say it has been hijacked by “ultra-violent” protesters, according to BBC  report.

An estimated 125,000 demonstrators gathered across the country during the day, with 10,000 of them in the capital, where the scenes were the most destructive.

Looters have been seen smashing shop fronts, and cars have been set on fire.

In a television address on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the “casseurs” (troublemakers) were still at work.

He called for more communication between the government and protesters to resolve the conflict. “The dialogue has begun,” he said. “It is now necessary to rebuild the national unity.”