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Protesters yesterday gathered for the fifth weekend in less than a month in central Paris to voice their discontent with the French government’s policies under the “Macron resign” motto. Now senior officers have confirmed that some of the 14 armoured police cars deployed at the weekend contained “a radical device” that was only to be used as “a last resort” against their own citizens, according to French magazine Marianne. Mail Online reports that the “debilitating powder” has the same power as 200 tear gas grenades and can knock people out immediately.

The weapon which is mounted on top of vehicles, has the ability to spread across an area the size of six football pitches in ten seconds. President Emmanuel Macron is facing a law and order crisis in France with police taking 112 people into custody in Paris on Saturday. Business and landmark attractions such as the Louvre Museum and the Opera Garner have been majorly affected by the demonstrations and were forced to close last weekend when the riots turned violent and ripped through the city.

France is ready to use a 'last resort' chemical weapon

Protesters hit the streets for the fifth weekend running

Cars were overturned and smashed, and streets disrupted as demonstrators built barricades. However, French authorities can take small comfort that smaller numbers of protesters took to the streets this weekend than on previous occasions. Police officers reported fewer clashes and violence than in previous weeks although teargas was fired at small groups of protesters in brief clashes with riot police near the Champs-Elysees.

Emmanuel Macron is facing a crisis

Less protesters were on the streets this weekend