21 Aug 2009

One-day alcohol ban in New Caledonia as demo looms

4:46 pm on 21 August 2009

The French authorities have banned the sale of alcohol in the New Caledonian capital, Noumea, tomorrow.

The restriction will be in force from five in the morning until nine at night.

No reason has been given but the move coincides with a planned demonstration by those seeking the release of unionists jailed since late June.

A group, which has been formed to lobby for the freeing of the USTKE unionists, says it wants to have a peaceful rally to push its cause.

This comes just over a week after the biggest demonstration in a generation which saw 26,000 people march in Noumea in response to nearly two weeks of skirmishes between police and USTKE supporters.