More strike action expected in France

France faced another day of strikes and confrontation on its streets on Thursday as the
government grappled to restore fuel supply with senators just a few days away from voting on pension reform.

Trade unions, backed by public support, want President Nicolas Sarkozy and his government to back down on the bill to raise the minimum retirement age by two years.

French fuel imports have hit record highs as the government tries to get around a blockade of France's largest oil port, Marseille.

Police may be deployed to clear access to striking oil refineries, under an order from Sarkozy which allowed them to clear access to fuel depots on Wednesday.

With a Senate vote on the reform now expected on Friday at the earliest, unions were stepping up the pressure with a tenth day of refinery strikes, go-slows on main roads by truck drivers and work stoppages at regional airports.