French unemployed continue protests

Thousands of people have been taking part in marches throughout France to press the government for higher welfare benefits for the unemployed.

The largest demonstration was in Paris where about ten-thousand protestors took to the streets, a bigger turn-out than at previous rallies in the campaign, which has been running for several weeks.

Opinion polls suggest seventy percent of the French public supports the protestors.

The BBC Paris correspondent says the campaign has shaken the cohesion of the left-wing government and that it is now hinting at concessions, although not until next year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service