Police clear out makeshift migrant camps in Paris

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA) - More than 2,500 migrants and refugees who had been sleeping in several makeshift camps in the streets of Paris were evicted by police on Friday morning, officials said.

The biggest clear-out took part in the Porte de la Chapelle area of northeastern Paris, one of the main destinations for migrants and refugees once they arrive in the French capital.

The Paris police prefecture said in a statement that the migrants -- mostly coming from Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan and other war-torn countries -- would be taken to centers and school gymnasiums, which have become available during summer in the surrounding region and elsewhere in France.

This is the 34th police evacuation in Paris since 2015, according to officials.

Hundreds of police forces took part in the operation. Aid workers were also present.

Since the dismantling of the Calais "Jungle" camp in October, Paris has become the new transit area for large numbers of migrants and refugees seeking asylum.

The French premier, Edouard Philippe, said earlier this week that his government would announce measures next week regarding refugees, illegal immigration and reforms to the asylum system.

This reform plan will, in particular, aim to reduce the average time taken in assessing asylum applications "from 14 to six months", he added.