Macron, who is on a 12-hour visit to New Caledonia, said police will remain in the South Pacific territory even as security forces focus on the Paris Olympics that begin July 26. After meeting with leaders who favor remaining part of France, Macron met with leaders of the pro-independence parties to seek a return to “dialogue and appeasement” after more than a week of rioting that has left six people dead. Macron began by observing a minute of silence for the six dead, including two police officers, then urged the leaders to use their influence to help restore order, saying the state of emergency imposed by Paris on May 15 for at least 12 days would only be lifted if local leaders asked for the removal of the burning barricades that protesters have erected in Noumea. “It is everyone’s responsibility to ask for the lifting of the barricades, the cessation of all forms of violence, and not just calm,” he said. The barricades, made of burned-out cars and other debris, have made parts of Noumea impassable, even for the sick seeking medical treatment or families looking for food and water after stores were looted and burned. French authorities say more than 280 people have been arrested since the violence first erupted on May 13, when Paris moved to change electoral rolls in New Caledonia. Both houses of the French Parliament in Paris have approved the proposed reform, but it requires a change in the French constitution to take effect. The proposal would increase the number of people eligible to vote in provincial elections for New Caledonia’s Congress and government by about 25,000 people, including those who have lived in the territory for at least a decade and others with family roots there. Opponents fear the measure will favor pro-French politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalize the indigenous Kanak people, who have suffered from harsh segregation policies and widespread discrimination. Supporters say the proposed revision is needed to give a democratic voice to people with roots in New Caledonia who currently can’t vote for local officials. The level of protest and violence in recent days is the worst seen in New Caledonia since the 1980s, the last time France imposed a state of emergency in the territory of 270,000 people that has grappled for decades with tensions over its future. Arson, looting and other violence have hit hundreds of businesses, homes, shops, public buildings and other sites in and around Noumea, causing an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. “We will discuss economic reconstruction, support measures and the more sensitive political questions, as we talk about the future of New Caledonia,” Macron said, adding that “by the end of the day, decisions will be made and announcements will be made” on the way forward. New Caledonia has held three referendums — in 2018, 2020 and 2021 — on whether voters want the territory to become independent, and a majority have each time voted “no,” although the last referendum was boycotted by pro-independence forces. Read Also: New Caledonia: Macron wants a quick return to "peace, calm and security" (Portuguese version)