Youths set schools ablaze and torched cars as scattered arson attacks persisted across France early today, and the government said it would propose extending the country’s state of emergency by three months.

Youths set schools ablaze and torched cars before dawn today as pockets of violence persisted across France.

FRANCE’S worst rioting since the 1960s seems to be nearing an end, the national police chief said last night, with fewer cars torched nationwide and Paris calm despite an alert that sent thousands of riot police into the capital’s streets.