France and Italy reinforce military security support after unrest

France will use soldiers to guard sites so police can focus on demonstrations planned for Saturday. Italy approved an additional 500 troops for Milan following clashes and looting in recent days.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said soldiers from Operation Sentinelle would replace internal security forces mainly on static guarding duties. The aim is to free police and gendarmes for public-order duties ahead of the October 24 demonstrations. The announcement did not say soldiers themselves would disperse the protests.

Italy's Defense Ministry confirmed in its Tuesday statement that the government had decided to add 500 soldiers to the Safe Streets operation in Milan. They will reinforce protection of sensitive sites and territorial security in coordination with police and the Carabinieri.

The measures follow violence on the fringes of some demonstrations over living costs and public services. The new security arrangements are a further development since the weekend protests; the violence should not be attributed to all participants.