New Caledonia

France's new Minister for Overseas, François-Noël Buffet, arrived in New Caledonia on Wednesday, five months after violent riots broke out.

The deal signed with Azerbaijan caused outrage at the time within the Congress's loyalists ranks.

The company said the extracting operations were no longer possible due to numerous, "massive", continuous blockades and attacks over the past six months.

François-Noël Buffet said the visit comes in support of all players in New Caledonia in the wake of the crisis triggered by riots.

French Polynesia and New Caledonia are this week sending delegations to New York to attend the UN's 4th committee on decolonisation.

Analysis - Michel Barnier's announcements Tuesday on New Caledonia has triggered a series of mixed reactions across the French Pacific archipelago's political spectrum.

Michel Barnier also confirmed that the provincial elections, initially scheduled to take place in New Caledonia not later than mid-December 2024, will be postponed until late 2025. Audio

Five individuals wanted by French authorities have surrendered in besieged New Caledonia's pro-independence stronghold of Saint Louis.

François-Noël Buffet as the new minister for French Overseas has been mostly welcomed in the French Pacific.

Analysis - In an atmosphere of uneasy calm, the highly symbolic day of 24 September was marked by events throughout New Caledonia. Audio

Two people are confirmed dead after clashes between police and dwellers in the village of Saint Louis, near Nouméa, local media report on Thursday.

Parties within the pro-independence FLNKS have denounced what they term "assassinations" and "barbaric methods" but public prosecutor Yves Dupas swiftly denied the claim. Audio