The French opposition UMP Party has expressed its disquiet about the sudden resignation of the French High Commissioner to New Caledonia, Jean-Jacques Brot.
The UMP says the prime minister Manuel Valls must shed light on the reasons that prompted Mr Brot to suddenly quit during an official visit of the overseas minister in Noumea.
It says the party shares the concerns of New Caledonians who read in the paper a quote that Mr Brot refused to support the casting-off of New Caledonia.
With New Caledonia at a turning point, the UMP says it is time for the Socialists to abandon their ambiguity.
It says for its part, the UMP is for New Caledonia to stay within the French republic.
Under the Noumea Acccord, the territory's Congress is tasked with organising an independence referendum by 2018.
Talks are scheduled in Paris in just over two months to explore steps to determine New Caldonia's future status.
