France rounds on Le Pen

Le Pen's supporters are defiant

The mood in the Chirac camp is defensive - the smallest of margins separate the French President from his contender, far right politician, Jean Marie le Pen.

Today Jacques Chirac's advisers sought to set conditions on any TV debate with his presidential rival, fearing that the far-right would use the occasion to resurrect sleaze allegations surrounding Chirac.

Le Pen is in bullish mood. He says he's ready to face Chirac "any time, any place" in a televised debate before the 5 May runoff.

On the streets, angry young demonstrators make plain their disgust at the election's outcome - a student federation is calling for a co-ordinated protest across France.

President again

We hear the latest from our correspondent James Coomerasamy in Paris.

Those in Jaques Chirac's camp have been planning their strategy for the next round, and are taking nothing for granted this time.

Our correspondent Janet Barry reports from a jubilant Chirac rally in the town of Rennes in western France.

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