French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the riot-hit New Caledonia, said Paris on Tuesday (May 21) as Australia and New Zealand began evacuating nationals in the French territory which has experienced a week of deadly riots.

French President Macron to visit riot-hit New Caledonia as Australia, New Zealand begin evacuations

A thousand police arrived in New Caledonia from France and streets were relatively calm, the French High Commission said on Monday, but roads were blocked and the airport remained shut, stranding tourists on the Pacific island after a week of riots.

Protestors block New Caledonia roads as French police pour in

Separatists in riot-hit New Caledonia refused Monday to abandon road blocks that have paralysed the Pacific archipelago for a week in defiance of a major security operation by French forces.

New Caledonia separatists resist French efforts to unblock roads

New Caledonia's high commissioner said on Tuesday (May 14) that shots had been fired at security forces during riots in the French Pacific territory. Many shops were looted and vehicles were also torched during the riots.

New Caledonia unrest turns violent, shots fired at security forces