Curfew lifted in France's Martinique after rioting ends

Authorities in the French Caribbean island of Martinique said Monday that the remaining nighttime curfews in the capital and surrounding areas would be lifted as tensions eased after weeks of cost-of-living riots.

Violent protests erupted in September over spiralling costs on the island, whose roughly 350,000 residents pay much more for food and other items than in mainland France.

The protestors set up roadblocks and destroyed several stores and vehicles, and police said gunshots had targeted security forces and firefighters.

The curfew, ordered from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am (0100-0900 GMT), had been extended several times since September, but was lifted for areas outside the capital of Fort-de-France in late October.

"After a week without urban violence or roadblocks, which allowed Martiniquais to enjoy the All Saints' holiday, the authorities have decided to lift all the police measures in place," the authorities said in a statement.

A ban on the purchase, sale or transport of petrol and other inflammable materials will also be lifted.

The protests were launched in early September by the Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), which demands that food prices be aligned with mainland France.

Talks with activists and retailers resulted in a deal to cut prices of around 6,000 food items by an average of 20 percent, but the RPPRAC refused to sign, saying the number of products was too small.