French motorists rush to fill gas tanks

Gas stations across France were reported to be running out of fuel on Sunday as strikes at refineries and oil depots threatened to cause widespread shortages.

French drivers flocked to filling stations, worried about being able to fill up their cars.

One motorist said she drove 50 kilometres to Paris to buy fuel because all the filling stations close to her home near Fontainebleau had run dry.

The strikes are part of widespread protests against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62.

The possibility of a long-term fuel shortage appears to be the most concerning outcome of the protest movement.

All 12 of France's fuel-producing refineries have been hit by strikes that started on Tuesday and numerous fuel depots are blocked.

Worries ease over fuelling Charles de Gaulle airport

But France's transport minister insisted on Sunday that there were "no worries" about refuelling planes at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, despite aviation authorities being forced to order some planes to arrive with enough jet fuel to get back home.

Dominique Bussereau told Europe-1 radio on Sunday that Paris's main airport is now "perfectly fed by a pipeline" after fuel began flowing again this weekend.

Unions have vowed to keep fighting against the reform that many people consider to be an attack on well-deserved social protections.

The government argues the changes are necessary to keep the pension coffers full and says people must work longer because they are living longer.

On Saturday, police estimated about 825,000 people marched in cities across France to protest the change.

A sixth round of nationwide protests is scheduled for Tuesday, a day before the Senate votes on the retirement reform, which must still return to both houses due to amendments tacked on during debates.