Over 1,300 arrested in France in two days of protests

France's interior ministry says around 1,300 people were arrested on Friday and Saturday during protests against inflation and declining conditions in schools.

According to the ministry, around 410,000 people took part in the protests nationwide on Saturday. Organising trade unions, however, claimed participation reached about 800,000.

The government deployed around 70,000 security personnel nationwide to control the protests. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in several cities, including the capital, Paris.

In Marseille, protesters set fire to barricades placed on the roads, while a shop was damaged in Bordeaux. According to the ministry, police brought around 75 fires under control on Saturday.

Authorities said the widespread rioting and looting seen last week did not recur this time. President Emmanuel Macron has announced that only official protests organised by unions will be permitted.

With Macron's second term coming to an end, presidential elections to choose his successor are scheduled for next April and May.