174 detained as climate protesters clash with police in Paris

France's interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Sunday 174 people were detained after violence clashes erupted at the Place de la Republique in central Paris, which has been the scene of vigils since the November 13 terror attacks that killed 130 people.

Cazeneuve said a total of 208 people had been arrested, but some were later released.

A march planned for Sunday in Paris ahead of the UN climate change summit taking place at Le Bourget outside the capital was banned by police under the state of emergency rules imposed after the November 13 attacks, which were claimed by Daesh group militants.

The minister expressed regret over acts of violence and throwing projectiles at the security forces by some masked protesters.

Cazeneuve said that 26 people, linked to violent demonstrations under preparation on the sidelines of the climate summit, were put under house arrest.

He added that security forces do not confuse between demonstrators of good will and other communities that aim to carry out "unacceptable" acts of violence.

The minister said that other climate change-related events including a human chain involving thousands of people in Paris earlier on Sunday had passed peacefully.

Leaders from across the globe are gathering in the French capital this weekend ahead of the landmark COP21 climate summit which begins Monday.

Sources: MENA