French minister admits police lost control during protests

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted Monday that police "lost control" during weekend protests marked by violence, as President Emmanuel Macron rejected his resignation and ordered a security review. Macron acknowledged security and intelligence failures in the government response. Saturday's demonstrations drew about 500,000 people protesting the cost of living but turned violent, with town halls and shops looted and set ablaze. Over 2,500 people were arrested, nearly 1,000 security forces were injured, and one protester lost a hand to a police grenade. Nunez cited a "lack of anticipation" in deploying insufficient forces. Macron blamed "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups" and criminals for the unrest, while ordering transparency on planning failures and new operational methods for riot control. Damage is estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros, with over 2,000 shops affected, ahead of elections in six months.