Paris: French President Jacques Chirac has urged calm and dialogue after a sixth night of unrest in poor Paris suburbs that has triggered a damaging public row between ministers in the conservative government.
The police said that street fighting, sparked by the deaths of two teenagers electrocuted while apparently fleeing police during a local disturbance, have spread to other parts of the suburbs ringing the capital.
The unrest has highlighted increasingly bitter rivalry between Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and his deputy Nicolas Sarkozy, the interior minister, ahead of 2007 presidential elections.
"The law must be firmly applied and in a spirit of dialogue and respect," government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope quoted Chirac as telling the weekly Cabinet meeting.
"The absence of dialogue and escalation of disrespect would lead to a dangerous situation. There cannot be 'no-go' areas in the republic," Cope said.
Villepin later summoned eight ministers to a special meeting on problem neighbourhoods in an effort to rein in squabbling ministers and deflect opposition charges of drift.
A heavy police presence kept a tense order in Clichy-sous-Bois as disturbances broke out in previously quiet areas.
Sarkozy said that police have detained 34 people for the violence and arson.
Villepin met families of the two dead youths on Tuesday evening along with Sarkozy who is now under heavy fire for his tough line against the rioters.
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