More than 100 protesters arrested as chaos erupts across France again

Today's protests come as the country has been grappling with far-left backed student protests for over three weeks.

The demonstrations - supported by LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon - have seen clashes between protesters and police, with a 15-year-old boy's hand being blown off earlier this month.

Protesters in high-visibility vests - dubbed the "Yellow Vests" - have been spotted taking to the streets, alongside students and trade unions.

The French Interior Ministry has confirmed 140 separate protests have taken place across France today, with at least 32,280 people involved.

It added 166 people have been arrested so far as it condemned "targeted acts of violence" from "hooded individuals" in major urban centres.

"The movement is marked by a very strong mobilisation of far-left elements, whose sole intent is to incite disorder," the ministry added.

Accusing demonstrators of attacking police officers, looting and causing fires, the ministry said that security personnel had responded to the disorder "swiftly and decisively".

"There is a very high probability that far-left elements will attempt to escalate the situation during this afternoon’s marches," it added.

In Paris' Place de la Republique, demonstrators have been seen climbing on top of monuments while hoisting the flag of Palestine.

In Marseille, the mayor said the town hall had been vandalised and that additional police were being sent to the city following talks with the French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

On social media, the Paris Police Prefecture has said it does "not back down in the face of rioters and those who come to attack the law enforcement forces".

It added: "The police are targeted by hostile individuals who have come looking for a fight. They face it with courage and professionalism."

Earlier this week, President Emmanuel Macron had urged for "calm" ahead of today's demonstrations and called on those involved to show "respect for people and property".

National Rally president Jordan Bardella has declared that hard-working French people are "not in the streets today".

He said: "Only the professionals of chaos have gathered to attack law enforcement, loot businesses, and vandalise public buildings - as always, Jean-Luc Melenchon's far-left, which advocates disorder, is the best ally of the Macronists for discrediting any social demand.

"The real mobilisation of the French for purchasing power, for lowering taxes on fuel, for work that pays decently, will be the vote for Marine Le Pen in the presidential election."

On Thursday, Mr Melenchon described today's planned demonstrations as "an important moment when the acute exasperation of a great many sectors of society will be expressed at the same time".

The far-left leader also called for the French Prime Minister to ensure that security forces will not be allowed to use "mutilating weapons, vehicle and horseback charges" against the protesters.