French 'rail anarchists' arrested

Thousands of passengers and 160 train services were delayed on Saturday

French police have arrested at least 10 people in connection with a series of attacks on France's rail network.

Police say those arrested were probably involved in sabotaging overhead power cables that disrupted national rail and Eurostar services over the weekend.

It is believed they belong to a far-left anarchist group protesting against trains transporting nuclear waste.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated investigators for their "rapid and promising progress".

The French interior ministry says suspects from the "anarcho-autonomous" movement were arrested in three cities, including Paris, after a months-long investigation.

It is understood that 20 people were originally detained but only 10 now remain in custody, where they are being questioned about several acts of sabotage on French railway lines.

On Saturday, metal rods were jammed against overhead power cables, taking out trains on lines north, east and south of the capital, causing chaos to the national network.

Eurostar trains to Brussels and London and services to northern Europe were also seriously disrupted.

On Sunday another high speed train was stopped after protestors placed concrete blocks on the line.

Railway officials say the attacks were probably part of the same well organised campaign. They said it did not threaten the safety of passengers.

Investigators are now examining a link between the group and the German far left, which has already claimed responsibility for actions against trains carrying nuclear waste.