New Caledonia Congress elects pro-France president after political crisis

New leader Alcide Ponga says people want a signal of hope' after turmoil in the French Pacific territory

Weeks after its first ever pro-independence government collapsed, New Caledonia has named a French loyalist as its new president as the territory seeks to rebuild from deadly riots and destruction that battered the economy.

Alcide Ponga, from the Le Rassemblement party, was elected president by the newly installed executive in Congress on Wednesday. Ponga's party is affiliated with French right-wing party LR, Les Republicains. The loyalists are in favour of keeping New Caledonia within France.