France, Oct. 25 -- Demonstrations over the cost of living and the defence of public services passed off peacefully for much of the day on Saturday, although clashes later broke out in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Tours. Police used tear gas during confrontations.

Around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed nationwide - 20 percent more than on the previous Saturday, when widespread violence and looting caused extensive damage in the capital.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Saturday evening that "the marches went smoothly", while acknowledging "a great many" incidents of violence. The ministry's updated nationwide arrest figure on Sunday replaced his initial estimate of near...