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.

Unrest spread across troubled suburbs around Paris in a sixth night of violence as police clashed with angry youths and scores of vehicles were set on fire in at least nine towns.

FRENCH youths rioted in a Paris suburb for the fifth night running early yesterday, raising fresh questions about Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy’s “zero tolerance” policy toward the violence.