During a speech to the nation this evening, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that yellow vest demonstrators were angry about mass immigration and that the issue needs to be debated at the national level.

Almost 2000 people were arrested on Saturday in France while 264 people were injured during protests that boiled over into riots and looting, the fourth round of such demonstrations in recent weeks.

During a primetime address on live television, Macron said that despite acts of violence, the protesters' indignation was "deep and in many ways legitimate," adding, "I take my share of responsibility. I know I have hurt some of you with my words."

Despite the outside perception being that the protests were solely about economic woes, Macron acknowledged that mass immigration was also a major concern, conceding, "We must tackle the question of immigration."

One yellow vest leader responded to the address by telling the French President, "If you still have respect for your people, resign."