Chirac praises police, defends state-of-emergency laws

President Jacques Chirac today said that ending France’s urban violence was still his priority, but also acknowledged problems with a lack of equality.

“Whatever our origins we are all the children of the Republic and we can all expect the same rights,” he said, in just his second public comments since rioting began on October 27 in heavily immigrant suburbs of north-east Paris.

“Everyone has a right to respect and equal opportunities.”

Even though violence has abated in recent days, Chirac said his priority was still “restoring public order and respect of the law".

He defended his use of state-of-emergency legislation, saying he had “given the security forces the measures they needed”.

“I want to take this chance to pay homage to the professionalism and sang-froid of the Republic’s security forces,” he said.