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Tuesday, 4 April 2006, 22:15 GMT 23:15 UK

In pictures: French protests

Students carrying banners march in Rennes, western France

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A fresh day of protests got under way across France against a youth employment contract which became law on Sunday.

Three female students marching in Bordeaux

Three female students marching in Bordeaux

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Students want the First Employment Contract, which will make it easier to hire and fire young people, to be scrapped.

A French students shouts slogans in the western town of Caen

A French students shouts slogans in the western town of Caen

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This was the fifth day of protest in two months. Last week, more than one million people rallied across the country.

Commuters wait to board a train at a Paris mainline station

Commuters wait to board a train at a Paris mainline station

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Transport was affected, with some flights and rail services cancelled.

Policemen at a Paris station

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Thousands of police were deployed to prevent a repeat of the violence that occurred during previous protests.

A student blows a flame at the start of a protest in Paris in front of a banner calling for the law to be withdrawn.

A student blows a flame at the start of a protest in Paris in front of a banner calling for the law to be withdrawn.

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Many thousands demonstrated in Paris, which has seen the worst of the unrest.

Fireman evacuates a wounded protester in Paris

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Although the march was mainly peaceful, scuffles broke out towards the end with some injuries.

Youths smash a shop front in Lille

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Shop fronts and cars were also damaged as youths clashed with riot police in the northern city of Lille.

French student protesters hold a Che Guevara flag in Paris

French student protesters hold a Che Guevara flag in Paris

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As well as Paris, students also protested in the northern cities of Rennes and Caen, as well as Marseilles in the south.

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