French Forces Smash Roadblocks In Bid To Clear Key New Caledonia Road

Burnt out cars scattered along the main road from New Caledonia's capital, Noumea, to the airport where French forces have launched a major operation to regain control (Credit: AFP)

French forces smashed through about 60 road blocks to clear the way from conflict-stricken New Caledonia's capital to the airport but have still not reopened the route, a top government official said Sunday.

And after six nights of violence that has left six dead and hundreds injured, security forces will launch "harrassment" raids to reclaim other parts of the Pacific territory, the French government representative in New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, said in a televised address.