France Deploys Military for Saturday Protests After Weekend Violence

France is mobilizing military personnel and implementing heightened security measures for Saturday's protests, announced Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, following violent clashes during last weekend's cost-of-living demonstrations. The operation will deploy soldiers from the Sentinelle mission to handle static guard duties, freeing police and gendarmes for public order maintenance. Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the plan Tuesday, with Nunez presenting it to Parliament. Authorities are considering banning undeclared demonstrations and restricting routes for approved ones to avoid public buildings. Intelligence gathering will be intensified to estimate participant numbers, particularly among radical elements. The Sentinelle operation, launched in 2015, typically involves 10,000 troops protecting sensitive sites.