French riot police have fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon at hundreds of protestors in central Paris.
The “Yellow Vest” movement has seen protests against diesel tax hikes and the high cost of living across France over the past two weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron is firmly in the protesters sights – with today’s rally entitled ‘Act 3 Macron resigns.’
Police said over at least 107 people have already been arrested this morning – with authorities concerned that far-right and far-left groups may be planning to infiltrate the movement.
French riot police officers take position amid tear gas during a demonstration in Paris, 01-12-2018. Image: Kamil Zihnioglu/AP/Press Association Images
Christophe Castaner, the country's interior minister, said 1,500 "agitators" were among the demonstrators.
The movement, which does not have any leaders, was named after the fluorescent jackets worn by protesters, which motorists must keep in their cars by law.
Activists have blocked roads in demonstrations across the country for more than two weeks and have posed one of the biggest challenges to Mr Macron's leadership so far.
On Saturday, several hundred people gathered under the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs Elysees and sat down to sing the French national anthem before chanting "Macron resign."
Riot police officers watch demonstrators wearing yellow jackets gathering at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, 01-12-2018. Image: Kamil Zihnioglu/AP/Press Association Images
Some 5,000 police and gendarmes were sent to Paris this morning as the protests got underway – 2,000 more than last week.
A further 5,000 will be deployed to other cities across France.
President Macron is currently at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires in Argentina.
