France to introduce energy-saving plan

In France itself, where the fuel protests have ended, the government is working on a comprehensive plan to save energy in response to the high price of oil.

The Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, said all areas of economic activity will be targeted in a series of measures to be implemented by the end of the year.

He strongly defended the use of energy taxes as a means of increasing efficiency. Mr Jospin was speaking as protests over high fuel prices in other parts of Europe continued.

In Brussels, hundreds of Belgian truck drivers continued to block main roads in the city centre for a second day.

In Britain, truck drivers are also blockading many oil refineries and depots.

There are also sporadic protests in Germany and Italy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service