France suspends fuel-tax hike that led to violent 'Yellow Jacket' protests

After more than two weeks of protests that have led to blocked roads, torched cars, looting and chaos in some of Paris' wealthiest neighborhoods, France's prime minister suspended Tuesday a fuel-tax hike that triggered the demonstrations.

Edouard Philippe temporarily called off plans to increase a diesel tax. The move, announced live on TV, is aimed at easing tensions after more than 100 people were injured and 400 arrested in Paris over the weekend amid "Yellow Jacket" protests.

At least three people have died since the unrest started on Nov. 17 and the Arc de Triomphe, one of France's most revered landmarks, was damaged last weekend

Philippe said the suspension of a new tax on fuel would last for six months and that planned increases to gas and electricity costs would also be temporary halted.

The civil unrest is some of the most serious in France since 1968, when massive demonstrations and wide-scale general strikes brought the nation's economy to a halt.