PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, under pressure after violent protests in France, acknowledged “failures in anticipation and intelligence”, but has refused the resignation of his interior minister, the presidential palace said.

Some opposition politicians had called for the sacking of Laurent Nunez after demonstrations over the cost of living descended into some of the worst urban violence in France in years.

Nunez admitted today that the police “lost control” in some cities during violent protests that erupted in cities across the country at the weekend.

He said there had been a “lack of anticipation” in preparations and that he had tendered his resignation to Macron “because I felt responsible for everything that happened.” 

A firefighter extinguishes a fire during clashes between protestors and police in Paris Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, with almost 1,000 police and gendarmes injured, according to the interior ministry, as clashes between police and protesters, mass looting and fires erupted nationwide.

“The interior minister submitted his resignation to the president on Sunday,” the Élysée Palace said in a statement.

“Given the necessity for continued leadership of law enforcement at this time, the president refused.”

Youths break a store window during clashes between protestors and police in Paris Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Macron had asked Nunez to “take all necessary steps to ensure transparency over the failures in planning and intelligence that led to the violence”, the statement said.

The president had also instructed him to “put in place new operational methods for security forces” to handle the crisis.

Macron echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos.

Riot police in Rennes tackle a protester to the ground Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said in a televised address to the nation.

He denounced “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals”.

Macron earlier held an emergency meeting with senior government officials, a day after masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities.

He said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary.

With reporting from Press Association