Photo: AFP
More than 300 French armed mobile police have arrived in New Caledonia as additional security for next month's independence referendum.
According to the public broadcaster, the three squads will be deployed in Kone, Poindimie and Tontouta, which is near Noumea's international airport.
They have just three weeks to familiarise themselves with the new environment to be ready for November 4th.
The one-day referendum will determine whether New Caledonia will assume full sovereignty.
Anti-independence politicians in New Caledonia are dismayed they have been called to be part of an axis of evil.
The pro-independence Caledonian Union says it will discuss the territory's sovereignty directly with the French state, if referendum fails.
The French High Commission to New Caledonia says should voters choose independence from France, the remaining powers held by Paris will be ceded.
People across New Caledonia have marked the 165th anniversary of France taking possession of the islands.
The president of France's centre-right Republicans has accused the French state of abdicating its responsibilities in terms of security in New Caledonia.
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