FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron decided today to lift the state of emergency in New Caledonia to allow political dialogue following violent unrest that left seven people dead and a trail of destruction.

The president’s office said the state of emergency would not be extended “for the moment” and so would end at 5am tomorrow.

The decision aims at “enabling meetings of the various components” of pro-independence movement the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) and allowing elected officials and other local leaders “in a position to call” for lifting the barricades to go and meet protesters, the Elysee palace said in a statement.