A state of emergency installed in France two years ago came to an end on Wednesday, to be replaced by new anti-terror legislation widely criticized by rights groups.
France introduced the state of emergency in the aftermath of the November 2015 terrorist attacks across Paris which left over 100 people dead. It has since been extended five times.
However, France has remained the target of several deadly terror attacks during these two years.
Upon each extension, civil rights groups raised concerns and urged its suspension.
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said Tuesday at least 32 planned attacks had been foiled during the last two years "thanks to information from abroad or through specific measures related to the state of emergency".
President Emmanuel Macron on Monday signed a new anti-terror and security law which gives the authorities vastly expanded powers to search homes, restrict movement and close places of worship.
Rights groups and international platforms, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), fear the new law -- which grants police exceptional powers -- will create a permanent quasi-state of emergency in the country.
