President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met with local officials in riot-hit New Caledonia, having crossed the globe by plane in a high-profile show of support for the French Pacific archipelago gripped by deadly unrest and where indigenous people have long sought independence.
Macron, who briefly spoke to reporters after his arrival at La Tontouta International Airport, about 50 kilometres from the capital Noumea, said he viewed a return to calm as the top priority.
