Macron Convenes Security Council Ahead of Saturday Protests as Asian Nations Warn Travellers over France Unrest

Amid fears of fresh protests in French cities, President Emmanuel Macron has convened a security council meeting. Back from his tour of the Gulf, he is sitting down with relevant ministers and intelligence services to figure out how to prevent unsavoury scenes on the streets during the protests planned for this Saturday.

Earlier this week Macron told reporters that the government must hold its nerve. He is expected to speak after the meeting, in remarks that will be closely watched.

Later the same day, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will hold a separate meeting with party leaders to discuss their concerns, including policing and next year's presidential campaign.

The effects of the protests in France are being felt beyond the country. Thailand has advised its citizens to postpone non-essential travel because of unrest rocking parts of Europe.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phungketkeow told reporters late on Wednesday, during a trip to Italy, that those travelling from Thailand to Europe must closely monitor the situation as it is changing rapidly, and that France remains a concern because the situation there is still ongoing.

He also cited concerns about protests in Italy, noting that his Italian counterpart had to cancel their bilateral meeting because of an urgent government cabinet meeting on the unrest, and added that Spain is also a worry. With everything going on in those countries, he said, it is better to delay travel for now if it is not necessary.

The Malaysian embassy in Paris had already advised Malaysians in France on Sunday to exercise caution and remain vigilant because of the protests. And on Monday China warned its citizens travelling to France to take safety precautions, state broadcaster CCTV reported, after town halls and shops were looted and set on fire over the weekend.

Amid this European unrest, Italy and Spain have dropped the mutual border controls they introduced in the aftermath of the Ceuta border crisis. In a statement, the Italian interior ministry said the two interior ministers held a cordial telephone conversation and agreed that the Schengen suspensions in force will not be extended further.

The statement added that the decision came after a careful analysis of the situation and will be accompanied by a strengthening of information exchange to ensure the full security of the Schengen common area.

Meanwhile, there are no signs of Russian attacks stopping in Ukraine. After massive strikes on port infrastructure in the Odesa region and on Kyiv overnight, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said three waves of ballistic missiles — 21 missiles in total — had been launched at Kyiv since the previous evening, damaging residential buildings, energy facilities, infrastructure at a railway station and the metro, shopping malls and businesses, with even a monastery among the damaged sites.

Zelenskyy said at least two people died and 34 were injured, including five children, in Kyiv, and that twelve of Ukraine's regions came under Russian attack overnight. Almost immediately after another round of talks, he said, Russia launched a pointed attack, meaning there has been no real change in its attitude, and real pressure on Russia is needed to bring about steps toward ending the killing.

All in all, Europe is now simultaneously facing protests, unrest and the pressure of war. How peaceful Saturday's protests in France remain, and how the Macron administration handles the situation, is where all eyes now rest.