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21:49 GMT, Thursday, 22 May 2008 22:49 UK

In pictures: French strikes

Civil servants demonstrate during a one-day strike in Paris

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France's main trade unions have held a day of demonstrations and strikes to protest against government plans to change the state pension system.

Thousands of civil servants demonstrate during a one-day strike in Paris

Thousands of civil servants demonstrate during a one-day strike in Paris

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Hundreds of thousands of people took part in the marches in Paris and at least 126 other cities.

French workers demonstrate in Marseille, southern France, carrying a banner which says "Retired people don't want to be badly treated anymore"

French workers demonstrate in Marseille, southern France, carrying a banner which says "Retired people don't want to be badly treated anymore"

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Workers are upset over government plans to make everyone work an extra year before they can claim a full state pension.

A man blows flames at a demonstration in Lyon

A man blows flames at a demonstration in Lyon

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Their unions are also angry at government plans to cut the number of public sector workers.

Firefighters join a demonstration during a one-day strike, in Marseille, southern France

Firefighters join a demonstration during a one-day strike, in Marseille, southern France

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Police gave a much lower number of participants, but unions called the day an "undeniable success".

Civil servants demonstrating during a one-day strike, in Lyon, central France

Civil servants demonstrating during a one-day strike, in Lyon, central France

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However, Thursday's walkouts did not cause the widespread chaos of last November, when transport workers staged a nine-day strike against Mr Sarkozy's plan to scrap their special pension rights.

Civil servants demonstrate during a one-day strike in Paris

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A law introduced by President Sarkozy to guarantee a minimum transport service helped maintain commuter services around Paris.

Demonstration at the old-port, Marseille, southern France

Demonstration at the old-port, Marseille, southern France

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In Marseille, demonstrations against pension reform plans followed earlier disruption caused by fishermen blockading ports in protest at rising fuel costs.

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