Biarritz (AFP)

A heart of city completely cordoned off, another area accessible on a permit and a region generally under very high surveillance, in full tourist season: the security will be maximum around the G7 (24-26 August) in Biarritz on which weigh several threats, including "violent groups".

The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron said during his preparatory visit to Biarritz in May: the device will be "extremely heavy", "unpublished". Because security will be "a major stake for the success of the event".

"There are already several violent groups, French and European, who have made an appointment as it is unfortunately now every time the case, the G7 and G20," he warned. .

The state authorities have not specified the number of police forces mobilized, while they have already been severely tested by the long crisis of "yellow vests".

But Mr. Macron pointed out that there would be "many", by pressing the word. "There will be in Biarritz, but also in Anglet, Bayonne and in cities and sensitive places where some could be incited or led to mess".

The idea, said the head of state, "is to be able to apprehend as soon as possible those who are sometimes preparing to commit the worst, especially when they have equipped themselves (for the confrontation) and have met you".

"We will ensure that there are no excesses, whatever they are," assured the president. "We owe it to the inhabitants of Biarritz and the Basque Country".

Passing Biarritz in early July, the Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner also spoke a language of firmness: "We prepare for the hypothesis (of) counter-demonstrations, if they are violent, we neutralize them".

- "Concentric circles" -

In Biarritz, where more than 5,000 delegates, technical staff and journalists are expected for the summit, two perimeters have been determined.

Zone 1 (reinforced security zone) includes all meeting places for delegations and will be closed to vehicular traffic and unauthorized pedestrians. Surfers and bathers will not be able to reach the Grande Plage, above which stands the Hôtel du Palais where the leaders of the seven big countries will meet.

In zone 2 (so-called protection zone), motorists will be tolerated provided they have obtained a badge and pedestrians must present a badge.

"Then there will be concentric circles where the degree of security is strong but where the constraints are relaxed," said Emmanuel Macron.

In addition, the airport and the station of Biarritz will remain closed the time of the summit, like the station of Bayonne. No craft will fly over the city and anti-drone means will be deployed.

The Prefect of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Eric Spitz said no demonstration would be allowed in the three cities of "BAB", Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz. "The Basque Country is big enough" to demonstrate elsewhere, he said.

The "counter-summit" organizations, which are expecting 12,000 people for three days of conferences and workshops (21-23 August), have therefore chosen Hendaye to demonstrate on 24 August. The next day, actions "occupation of public places" will take place in seven towns bordering the seaside resort.

Monday, in front of the press, the organizers assured that they did not intend to cause any degradation or confrontation with the police during these demonstrations. "If there is repressive violence, we will oppose non-violent resistance techniques," they said.

© 2019 AFP