President Emmanuel Macron has postponed a state visit to Germany due to the ongoing protests and riots across France.
More than 1,300 people have been arrested after a fourth night of violent protests throughout the country following the death of 17-year-old boy Nahel Merzouk, who was shot by police during a traffic stop in a Paris suburb on Tuesday.
People have taken to the streets on four consecutive nights to protest, setting cars alight, throwing stones and fireworks, and ransacking shops.
A funeral for the teenager began on Saturday, with family and friends viewing the open coffin before it will be taken to a mosque for a ceremony and later burial.
Mr Macron spoke with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier to brief him on the situation, a spokesperson for the German president said.
“President Macron has asked that the planned state visit to Germany will be postponed,” the spokesperson added.
As the number of arrests increased the government suggested the violence was beginning to subside due to tougher security measures.
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Since the unrest began on Tuesday night more than 2,400 people have been arrested – more than half of those in the fourth night of violence.
However, the damage has been widespread from Paris to Marseille and Lyon, and even further away in the French overseas territories, where a 54-year-old died after being hit by a stray bullet in French Guiana.
