France 'must respond by confronting racism'

President Jacques Chirac has called for a collective fight against racism in response to France’s worst unrest in almost 40 years, saying discrimination poisons society.

Addressing the nation yesterday for the first time since the unrest broke out nearly three weeks ago, Chirac said he had asked parliament to extend a state of emergency declared on November 9 beyond 12 days to three months. Politicians were to debate the issue today.