Emmanuel Macron says priority is return to calm amid unrest in New Caledonia

French President Emmanuel Macron visits the central police station in Noumea, New Caledonia (Ludovic Marin/AP)

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met with local officials in riot-hit New Caledonia, having crossed the globe by plane in a high-profile show of support for the French Pacific archipelago gripped by deadly unrest.

Mr Macron briefly spoke to reporters after he arrived at La Tontouta International Airport, about 31 miles from the New Caledonian capital of Noumea.