France deploys 70,000 officers nationwide ahead of of protests

Major museums in Paris closed Saturday while authorities deployed a large police force across France for a new round of protests, seeking to prevent a repeat of last week's violent unrest that shocked the country.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said as many as 70,000 officers would be deployed nationwide, along with helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons.

Authorities recorded 136 public demonstrations and 35,000 people in public spaces by 1 pm. compared with 264 demonstrations and 60,000 people at the same time on October 17.

Nunez said police had seized a range of items including lead pellets, mortars, steel balls and weapons, as well as an airsoft gun.

He said the checks demonstrated authorities determination to prevent demonstrations from spiraling out of control.