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WATCH Paris Police Deploy Armoured Cars Near Arc de Triomphe

© Sputnik / Irina Kalashnikove / Go to the mediabankFrench police during the Yellow Vests protest in Paris
French police during the Yellow Vests protest in Paris - Sputnik International
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The renowned French landmark has been a prominent feature of the weekly Yellow Vest protests in the French capital, with protesters and police repeatedly clashing near the monument, which was stormed and vandalised last month.

French police deployed several armoured cars and police vans at the Arc de Triomphe on Saturday morning, footage broadcast by BFM TV and amateur videos from the scene published online show.

The deployment follows reports of several dozen Yellow Vests protesters gathering near the monument on the Champs Elysees ahead of expected protests on Saturday.

No clashes with police were reported as of 10 am local time. 

Read More: Yellow Vests Protests Continue for 11th Week in Paris (VIDEO)

Christmas holiday lights hang from trees to illuminate Champs Elysees avenue in Paris as rush hour traffic fills the avenue leading up to the Arc de Triomphe, France, November 19, 2015 - Sputnik International
Arc de Triomphe to Open Wednesday After Being Vandalized in Protests – Officials
Earlier, at a meeting of law enforcement officials, French authorities warned that protests may again descend into violence and riots. Last week, following accusations of police violence, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner promised that riot police equipped with weapons firing rubber bullets would be equipped with body cameras, calling it a "requirement for transparency."

At least 2,000 protesters and 1,000 police officers have been injured in the Yellow Vests movement, which began on 17 November, initially to protest a proposed diesel tax hike, but has since evolved into a broader movement against Macron's government. Entering their 11th week, there is no still indication of the protests letting up. 

The Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous and revered landmarks in all of France and the pride of Paris, was repaired last month after being damaged in protests by a group of vandals. The damage included spray-painted graffiti demanding President Macron's resignation, as well as defacement with anti-government slogans. The statue of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic on display at the entrance to the Arc de Triomphe museum, was smashed during the violence.

The Arc de Triomphe stands over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating the 1.4 million French soldiers who died in WWI.

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