Riots put French government under pressure
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-03 09:35

The opposition has seized on such signs of discord and accused the government of drift and of failing to tackle the underlying reasons for the riots.

The unrest in the northern and eastern suburbs, heavily populated by North African and black African minorities, have been fueled by frustration among youths in the area over their failure to get jobs and recognition in French society.

In the aftermath of Sarkozy's comment, the government has been battling to strike a balance between the need to enforce law and order and show it is understanding of the problems facing minority and underprivileged communities.

Government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope reiterated the need for mutual respect in an interview broadcast on France 3 television and said Villepin would on Thursday meet representatives from the suburbs affected by the violence.