French President Nicolas Sarkozy has told media, that the reforms on the country's pension system will go through.

Sarkozy made the statement amid intense protests over the proposed overhaul. These strikes have triggered severe oil fuel shortages.

During a summit with other EU leaders on budget deficits, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the reform of France's pension system will go ahead as planned.

Nicolas Sarkozy, French President, said, "You know of the importance of the pension reform for pensioners and future pensioners. The reform is essential. France is committed to it and France will go ahead with it just as our German partners did a few years ago."

Meanwhile, nationwide protests have intensified with unions vowing to force the government to withdraw the plan or open up negotiations with them before the Senate debates the package on Wednesday.

Patrick Sciruca, Union Worker, said, "The government is not leaving us any choice because they do not want to negotiate. They are locked in their position. Despite this, the mobilization is growing."

Oil workers defied the government's demand to get back to work and end fuel shortages on Monday.

All but one of France's 12 refineries have stopped production.

The International Energy Agency says France has 98 days of oil stocks, but warns it has already started to draw on the industry's 30-day emergency reserves.

The French government opened a crisis coordination center on Monday in the Interior Ministry, focusing on the conflict in the oil sector.

Affected by oil shortages, France's aviation authorities told short-haul planes coming in from other European destinations to bring enough fuel to get back. Airlines were also told to cut back their flights into France on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, French truck drivers staged go-slow operations on highways, and rail strikes intensified as protests gathered pace ahead of a Senate vote on the pension overhaul.

Union leaders have called for support strikes from other sectors, including energy, post and private commerce.

The French government said it will take military actions to end the domestic chaos if it is necessary.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments