New Caledonia
French president Emmanuel Macron has said the majority of New Caledonians who voted in a referendum on independence chose to remain part of France.
In a televised address from Paris, Mr Macron pledged “there is no other path than that of dialogue” on the future of the South Pacific archipelago which has been part of France since 1853.
French prime minister Edouard Philippe will meet with officials in New Caledonia to discuss future plans.
The referendum was the result of a process that started 30 years ago to end years of violence between those both for and against separation from France.
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