New Caledonia unrest: Australia, New Zealand send evacuation flights, Macron holds security meet

Amid the unrest in New Caledonia, the governments of Australia and New Zealand are sending planes on Tuesday (May 21) to evacuate their nationals from the French territory as French President Emmanuel Macron holds another Defense and National Security Council meetingat the Elysee Palace.New Caledonia was put under a state of emergency on May 15 for 12 days as the French territory remains engulfed in deadly riots in the aftermath of electoral changes imposed by the French government in Paris.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that two flights would leave for New Caledonia with an aim to bring back about 300 nationals.

Also Read |Trump hush money trial Day 19: Prosecutor rests case; defence witness Costello's heated exchange, & more

Wong, inastatement, said, "We've received clearance for two Australian Government assisted-departure flights today for Australian and other tourists to depart New Caledonia."

Meanwhile, New Zealand could kick off the rescue flights to the crisis-hit region as soon as possible.

Also Read |Amal Clooney helps ICC seek arrest warrants for Israeli, Hamas leaders

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peterson Tuesday (May 21) said that a government plane would leave for the capital of the South Pacific archipelago, Noumea, in the "next hour".

Watch |Israel war: ICC Prosecutor accuses Netanyahu, Gallant of war crimes in Gaza

"New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days," Peters said. He further announced that the aircraft is will bring back "50 passengers with the most pressing needs".

Third emergency meet

The emergency meeting held by French President Emmanuel Macron was the third in less than a week.

France has already dispatched reinforcements to assist local forces in restoring order.

French forces on Sunday (May 19)broke through numerous barricades to regain control of the main road to La Tontouta International Airport,the main international airport in New Caledonia.

The airport, closed to commercial traffic since May 14, will remain shut until midnight on May 23, French authorities announced, despite requests from Australia and New Zealand to open it for evacuating their citizens.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of two gendarmes, Nicolas Molinari and Xavier Salou, whose bodies were returned to France on Monday morning.

The unrest has also claimed the lives of at least three Indigenous Kanaks, highlighting the escalating violence in the French territory.

(With inputs from agencies)