Jacques Chirac (l) and Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin lay a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

French President Jacques Chirac has marked Armistice Day in Paris without incident after two weeks of night-time rioting in largely Muslim-inhabited areas of France.

Mr. Chirac placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.

Meanwhile, French authorities banned all public gathering that could lead to disorder from 10:00 a.m. local time to 8:00 a.m. Sunday. This followed reports that rioters may be planning attacks in downtown areas.

Earlier Friday, several hundred people demonstrated at the Eiffel Tower calling for an end to the violence.

Police say almost 400 vehicles were set ablaze across France and at least 160 people were arrested during another night of riots Thursday.

State of emergency rules remain in effect in many towns and cities. But authorities say the violence, mostly by youths from France's North African minority population, has begun to recede.