France braces for further pension protests

Thousands of students are expected to join union workers in demonstrations in Paris and several other cities against plans to raise the retirement age.

Strikes have shut most of France's oil refineries and depots and the fuel pipeline to Paris's main airports has been closed.

Officials say there are enough fuel reserves to outlast the strikes.

The protests and strikes erupted after centre-right President Nicolas Sarkozy announced plans to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62, and from 65 to 67 for a full state pension.

More than a million people took to the streets in the latest national protest on Tuesday. France's main unions have also called for a day of nationwide strikes and protests for 19 October.

More than 300 high schools across the country have been affected by strikes and blockades as students have joined the pension protests; Kazinform cites BBC.

See www.bbc.co.uk for full version.