Macron convenes security council as France braces for October 24 protests

French President Emmanuel Macron convened a security council on Thursday ahead of a new protest on October 24, following violent unrest on October 17. The government is preparing a heavy police response amid criticism over its handling of the previous demonstrations. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with political party leaders at Matignon, promising transparency about the October 17 events. He has accused La France insoumise of fueling anger, which the party denies. Mayors of Paris, Lyon, and Marseille were also received to address concerns over widespread looting. Authorities plan to deploy armored vehicles and elite units, with some protest bans expected. Over 174 people have been jailed for looting. The unrest has prompted foreign travel advisories and pushed France's ten-year borrowing rate above 5 percent for the first time since 2002.