France boosts police deployment for Saturday protests after riots

France will increase its security force deployment by 20% in several cities for Saturday's protests, following last week's riots and vandalism, authorities announced today. Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger said the reinforced plan includes military units from the Sentinelle force, elite police and gendarmerie teams, helicopters, and armored vehicles. Leave has been cancelled and agents recalled, with France maintaining its highest alert level after buildings, banks, and shops were looted. Military personnel will guard public buildings and Paris tourist sites, freeing police for other duties. Several cities, including Lyon, have imposed protest bans, while Paris has prohibited gatherings near key landmarks. The unrest occurred alongside cost-of-living demonstrations that drew 550,000 people nationwide.