The international airport in the&nbsp;New&nbsp;Caledonian capital Noumea will remain closed to commercial flights until at least 9 am on Tuesday (2200 GMT Monday), Charles Roger, director of the body that operates the facility, told AFP.

That would extend the shutdown to nearly two weeks in total, after flights were halted on May 15 in the face of deadly rioting that broke out in the French Pacific territory.

The news on Friday came as French President Emmanuel Macron warned the archipelago must not become "the Wild West" during an television interview with local media.

France has dispatched about 3,000 security personnel to the territory in a bid to restore order after more than a week of rioting that has left at least six people dead.

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Macron justified the measure as necessary for a "return to calm", because "it's not the Wild West".

"The Republic must regain authority on all points. In France, not everyone defends themselves," he added, reference to local groups who have organised the defence of their neighbourhoods amid the unrest.&nbsp;

"There is a republican order, it is the security forces who ensure it," he added.

Since Tuesday,&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand and Australia have been carrying out special evacuation flights to bring home hundreds of tourists stranded by the unrest, which was sparked by opposition to controversial electoral reforms.

The Australian evacuation flights were set to continue on Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on social media platform X Thursday evening.

Military aircraft from both countries were expected to pass through Noumea on Friday, according to flight tracker site Flightradar24.

Since May 13, hundreds have been injured amid looting, arson and clashes triggered by the French voting reform plan.

New&nbsp;Caledonia&nbsp;has been ruled from Paris since the 1800s, but many&nbsp;Indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands and want fuller autonomy or independence.&nbsp;

France had planned to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous long-term residents, something Kanaks say would dilute the influence of their votes.&nbsp;

Separatists have thrown up barricades that have cut off whole neighbourhoods, as well as the main route to the international airport.

Macron on Thursday conceded more talks were needed on the voting changes, and pledged they would "not be forced through in the current context".&nbsp;

"We will allow some weeks to allow a calming of tensions and resumption of dialogue to find a broad accord" among all parties, he added, saying he would review the situation again within a month.&nbsp;

Caledonians would be asked to vote on their future if leaders can reach an over-arching agreement, Macron said. The French parliament's lower house had approved the voting reform, but final ratification was still needed.

The international airport in the New Caledonian capital Noumea will remain closed to commercial flights until at least 9 am on Tuesday (2200 GMT Monday), Charles Roger, director of the body that operates the facility, told AFP.

The international airport in the New Caledonian capital Noumea will remain closed to commercial flights until at least 9 am on Tuesday (2200 GMT Monday), Charles Roger, director of the body that operates the facility, told AFP. That would extend the shutdown to nearly two weeks in total, after flights were halted on May 15 in the face of deadly rioting that broke out in the French Pacific territory. The news on Friday came as French President Emmanuel Macron warned the archipelago must not become "the Wild West" during an television interview with local media. France has dispatched about 3,000 security personnel to the territory in a bid to restore order after more than a week of rioting that has left at least six people dead. Also read | New Caledonia unrest: Macron says troops will stay for as long as needed Macron justified the measure as necessary for a "return to calm", because "it's not the Wild West". "The Republic must regain authority on all points. In France, not everyone defends themselves," he added, reference to local groups who have organised the defence of their neighbourhoods amid the unrest. "There is a republican order, it is the security forces who ensure it," he added. Since Tuesday, New Zealand and Australia have been carrying out special evacuation flights to bring home hundreds of tourists stranded by the unrest, which was sparked by opposition to controversial electoral reforms. The Australian evacuation flights were set to continue on Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on social media platform X Thursday evening. Military aircraft from both countries were expected to pass through Noumea on Friday, according to flight tracker site Flightradar24. Since May 13, hundreds have been injured amid looting, arson and clashes triggered by the French voting reform plan. New Caledonia has been ruled from Paris since the 1800s, but many Indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands and want fuller autonomy or independence. France had planned to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous long-term residents, something Kanaks say would dilute the influence of their votes. Separatists have thrown up barricades that have cut off whole neighbourhoods, as well as the main route to the international airport. Macron on Thursday conceded more talks were needed on the voting changes, and pledged they would "not be forced through in the current context". "We will allow some weeks to allow a calming of tensions and resumption of dialogue to find a broad accord" among all parties, he added, saying he would review the situation again within a month. Caledonians would be asked to vote on their future if leaders can reach an over-arching agreement, Macron said. The French parliament's lower house had approved the voting reform, but final ratification was still needed.

New Caledonia airport to stay closed to commercial flights until May 28

The French Pacific territory of New Caledonia saw relative calm on Friday (May 17) following days of violence over voting reform that have left five dead and hundreds injured, the news agency AFP reported citing authorities.

The French Pacific territory of New Caledonia saw relative calm on Friday (May 17) following days of violence over voting reform that have left five dead and hundreds injured, the news agency AFP reported citing authorities. French high commissioner Louis Le Franc, the highest-ranking state official in New Caledonia, said that reinforcements would control areas that got out of hand in recent days. Le Franc said that the more military and armed police arriving in New Caledonia's capital Noumea would allow authorities to "reconquer all the places in the city that we have lost". More French troops arrive in New Caledonia Rioting in New Caledonia began earlier this week after people, angry with an electoral reform burnt businesses, torched cars, looted shops and set up road barricades. France earlier declared a state of emergency. Four people including a police official died and hundreds were arrested. The electoral reform, adopted by lawmakers on Tuesday, would let French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years the right to vote in provincial elections. Some local leaders fear the move will dilute the indigenous Kanak vote. On Thursday, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that about 1,000 extra security forces were being sent to New Caledonia -- adding to the 1,700 already present. The troops arrived at La Tontouta International Airport and could be seen moving through Noumea. New Caledonia has stocks of food for only two months In a statement, New Caledonia's government said that the island had stocks of food for only two months and the problem was distribution. The violence has led to a scarcity of food and medicines. Watch | New Caledonia protest: France sends troops to diffuse unrest × Le Franc also said on Friday that operations to supply food and medicine to the public would begin with teams, including specialists in mine clearing, removing road barricades that have been booby-trapped by rioters. (With inputs from agencies)

New Caledonia sees relative calm following days of violence

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.

"No deaths have been reported so far," the High Commissioner of the Republic Louis Le Franc said, adding that, "shots were fired at the gendarmes using high calibre weapons and hunting rifles".

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Protests in New Caledonia over voting reforms turned violent on Monday (May 13), prompting authorities to impose a curfew and ban public gatherings.

During the unrest, car dealerships and a factory were set on fire in the capital Noumea. Several supermarkets were also looted in Noumea and the neighbouring towns of Dumbea and Mont-Dore.

"A nearby police station was on fire and a car was also torched in front of my house. There was non-stop shouting and explosions, I felt like I was in a war," said Sylvie, an eyewitness.

Around 36 people were arrested and 30 police officers were injured, according to authorities.

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"Very intense public order turbulence took place last night in Noumea and in neighbouring municipalities, and are still ongoing at this time," the high commission, the representative of the French state in New Caledonia, said in a statement Tuesday.

The authorities have closed schools and colleges until further notice and the international airport is also shut.

New Zealand said on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Winston Peters had cancelled his visit to New Caledonia due to the unrest.

The New Caledonia government has appealed for reason and calm.

<h2>Frozen voter lists</h2>

On Monday (May 13), tensions flared in New Caledonia as protests erupted against a proposed voting reform under debate in Paris.&nbsp;

The reform aims to increase the number of eligible voters in the territory's provincial elections.&nbsp;

France vowed in the Noumea Accord of 1998 to gradually give more political power to the Pacific island territory of nearly 300,000 people.

Under the agreement, New Caledonia has held three referendums over its ties with France, all rejecting independence.

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The pro-independence Indigenous Kanaks rejected the result of the last referendum held in December 2021.

Due to the Noumea Accord, New Caledonia's voter rolls haven't been updated since 1998. This excludes residents who've moved to the island from mainland France or anywhere else in the past 25 years from participating in provincial elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

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'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. "No deaths have been reported so far," the High Commissioner of the Republic Louis Le Franc said, adding that, "shots were fired at the gendarmes using high calibre weapons and hunting rifles". Also read: Trump's fixer-turned-foe says he was told to 'handle' hush money payments Protests in New Caledonia over voting reforms turned violent on Monday (May 13), prompting authorities to impose a curfew and ban public gatherings. During the unrest, car dealerships and a factory were set on fire in the capital Noumea. Several supermarkets were also looted in Noumea and the neighbouring towns of Dumbea and Mont-Dore. "A nearby police station was on fire and a car was also torched in front of my house. There was non-stop shouting and explosions, I felt like I was in a war," said Sylvie, an eyewitness. Around 36 people were arrested and 30 police officers were injured, according to authorities. Also read: Collapsed Baltimore bridge blown up in controlled blast: Watch "Very intense public order turbulence took place last night in Noumea and in neighbouring municipalities, and are still ongoing at this time," the high commission, the representative of the French state in New Caledonia, said in a statement Tuesday. The authorities have closed schools and colleges until further notice and the international airport is also shut. New Zealand said on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Winston Peters had cancelled his visit to New Caledonia due to the unrest. The New Caledonia government has appealed for reason and calm. Frozen voter lists On Monday (May 13), tensions flared in New Caledonia as protests erupted against a proposed voting reform under debate in Paris. The reform aims to increase the number of eligible voters in the territory's provincial elections. France vowed in the Noumea Accord of 1998 to gradually give more political power to the Pacific island territory of nearly 300,000 people. Under the agreement, New Caledonia has held three referendums over its ties with France, all rejecting independence. Also read: Mumbai hoarding collapse: Billboard recognised in Limca Book of Records, not authorised by BMC The pro-independence Indigenous Kanaks rejected the result of the last referendum held in December 2021. Due to the Noumea Accord, New Caledonia's voter rolls haven't been updated since 1998. This excludes residents who've moved to the island from mainland France or anywhere else in the past 25 years from participating in provincial elections. (With inputs from agencies)

New Caledonia unrest turns violent, shots fired at security forces

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New Caledonia airport to stay closed to commercial flights until May 28

New Caledonia sees relative calm following days of violence

New Caledonia unrest turns violent, shots fired at security forces