The President of the Republic had convened a Defence and National Security Council, the third of its kind since Wednesday

At the Defence Council held on Monday 20 May, Emmanuel Macron noted ‘clear progress in restoring order’ in New Caledonia, according to information obtained by H24 MEDIA from the Élysée Palace. The President asked the government to remain focused, vigilant and committed. During the meeting, it was decided to temporarily mobilise military personnel to ‘protect public buildings’ and thus relieve the internal security forces.

The internal security forces are continuing to arrive in large numbers thanks to the air bridge that we have put in place. We are making progress. No fewer than 76 roadblocks have been destroyed on the road linking Nouméa to its airport. Emmanuel Macron also reaffirmed his government’s determination to ‘restore order’.

Twenty-nine people were arrested on Monday

‘The high commissioner [Louis Le Franc] congratulates the forces mobilised for their work, which has made it possible to begin securing Magenta and Ducos and to carry out deterrence operations in the Vallée du Tir and Rivière Salée,’ X reported. The High Commission has also announced the arrival of reinforcements in the greater Noumea area.

Nouméa international airport to remain closed until Thursday

It will remain closed to commercial flights until 9am on Thursday (midnight in Paris on Wednesday night), announced the New Caledonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), which manages the hub. Commercial activity has been at a standstill since Tuesday, despite requests from Australia and New Zealand, in particular, to evacuate their nationals.