Macron refuses to let France's interior minister quit after weekend riots saw a town hall torched and shops looted

Emmanuel Macron told Laurent Nunez to stay on so the chain of command over police and security forces holds firm. The president has also ordered him to draw up new tactics against looters as fast as he can. Fresh clashes broke out in Paris and Marseille on Sunday, with riot police stopping gangs from ransacking businesses. France's prime minister is to hold a crisis meeting over the protests.

The unrest was sparked by soaring living costs, crumbling public services and the state of schools.

Nunez offered to resign after violent groups battled police in cities on Saturday.

Buildings were daubed with graffiti as nationwide demonstrations turned into riots.