Algerian War
The 1955 law invoked by the cabinet Tuesday morning will allow local officials throughout the country to impose curfews. In French terminology, the government invoked the law through a presidential "décret" (decree), which corresponds to an executive order in American terminology. The law originates from the 
 and has never been used in Metropolitan France until now. Villepin said that more than 9,500 police have been called up to help bring the riots under control.
France invokes emergency law in response to riots