A trial is opening in a French counterterrorism court over the killing of two police officers in their home in 2016, in front of their three-year-old son.
While the results exceeded expectations for the far-right Rassemblement National ('National Rally'), they are seen as a reflection of strong results by Marine Le Pen's party in previous local elections, and not necessarily a prediction of future election results.
France had previously stationed thousands of troops in the Sahl region at the request of African leaders to fight jihadist groups. It has maintained a presence even after the new junta asked it to leave.
Unions said some 80,000 people joined the protests across France, including 15,000 in Paris, but the interior ministry put the number at 31,300 nationwide, with 9,000 in Paris.
Prosecutors said bus driver was set upon after asking a small group of men on his bus to show their tickets and adjust face-masks they were wearing over their chins.
Tens of thousands are expected at a Mass with Francis in the French port city. Although the pontiff will meet President Emmanuel Macron, it is not an official state visit.
