A committee has been set up in New Caledonia to support the re-election of French president Emmanuel Macron although he is yet to announce whether he will again seek office next April.
The committee is headed by the mayor of Noumea Sonia Lagarde, who said Mr Macron's support for New Caledonia has been flawless.
More than 96 percent voted against independence in last Sunday's vote, which was boycotted by the pro-independence camp because of the impact of the pandemic.
Photo: AFP
She said if New Caledonians voted in three referendums to stay with France, it's due to Mr Macron's commitment.
In 2017, in the decisive second round of the last presidential election, Mr Macron secured 53 percent of New Caledonia's votes against 47 percent of Marine Le Pen of the National Rally.
However, in the mainly anti-independence Southern Province, only 46 percent voted for Mr Macron.
In the first round, he came a distant third behind Francois Fillon and Ms Le Pen. with just 13 percent support.
French military vehicle vandalised in New Caledonia
A French military truck has been destroyed in an arson attack in the north of New Caledonia.
Police officer in New Caledonia Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Walter Zweifel
Prosecutors say two individuals carrying a canister of petrol entered a parking area in Poindimie and set the truck alight.
Another vehicle had been doused with petrol but the two were chased away by an officer on guard before they could set it on fire.
He used an extinguisher to prevent the rest of vehicle park catching fire.
Prosecutors say investigators are being sent from Noumea to track down the two suspects.
If caught and convicted, they risk jail terms of up to 10 years.
