5 Nov 2018

French PM meets with New Caledonian leaders after vote

7:19 pm on 5 November 2018

The French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has completed a first round of talks with New Caledonian leaders after the independence referendum.

Mr Philippe arrived in Noumea an hour after the official confirmation that 56 percent of voters rejected independence from France.

He received political leaders at the High Commission in Noumea with one party after another having a chance to discuss the referendum outcome.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (R) greets Marie-Claude Tjibaou, widow of the historical independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou at the French High Commission on November 5, 2018 in Noumea, New Caledonia.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (R) greets Marie-Claude Tjibaou, widow of the historical independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou at the French High Commission on November 5, 2018 in Noumea, New Caledonia. Photo: AFP or licensors

The French prime minister then continued the talks in Kone, the seat of the Northern Province where he met the President Paul Neaoutyine and Daniel Goa of the Caledonian Union.

Mr Philippe is yet to make any comment about the result but will give a televised address before flying out to Paris later tonight.