In pictures: Fuel protests

Protests are growing across Europe as record fuel prices hit fishermen and hauliers, leading to clashes between police and fishermen outside the EU headquarters in Brussels. (Photo: Andy Carling)

The fishermen, mainly from France and Italy, blocked one of the city's main avenues. Some threw flares, smashed windows, burned an EU flag and overturned cars. (Photo: Balazs Pataki)

One protester demanded the EU stop blocking a French government plan to help fishermen. EU officials said any fuel subsidies would be illegal under European law and unsustainable. (Photo: Balazs Pataki)

French fishermen went on strike for about three weeks last month, blockading ports and oil depots, while their colleagues from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece also stopped work.

The fishermen say competition from cheap imports, quotas which restrict catch sizes, and the squeeze of rising diesel costs are making their business untenable.

There have also been protests by lorry drivers. The issue of fuel prices has been put on the agenda for the EU summit later this month.

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