Chirac urges dialogue after riots

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac yesterday called for swift talks between the government and unions over a youth employment law after Paris protests against the measure ended in violence and arrests.

Ministers tried to calm opposition to the new contract by promising to find a solution, one saying no worker could be laid off without justification. Critics say the law will allow companies to fire people at will.

Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who took a hardline position with suburban rioters last year, said the vast majority of students had protested peacefully and blamed the violence on a hardcore group of hooligans spoiling for a fight.