France, July 20 -- French authorities managed to bring a week of nighttime urban violence and looting in its low-income, multi-racial surburbs to a rapid end- but unless the underlying reasons for the rioting are addressed, researchers say we can expect a rerun.

Between 27 June and 2 July, France lived through its worst bout of urban violence in close to two decades.

Or at least part of the country did.

In the low-income, multi-racial suburbs (known as banlieues) near Paris, but also in big cities like Marseille, Lyon and some smaller towns, people set fire to public buildings and property in their own neighbourhoods. Shops and supermarkets were looted, banks and private property damaged.

Two people died - caught in police-fired proje...