Sarkozy defiant amid fuel protests

Nicolas Sarkozy remained defiant over his plan to raise France’s retirement age to 62 and his government vowed to defeat efforts to block fuel after strikes sparked fears of a shortage.

Strikers have blockaded a dozen French refineries and numerous oil depots in the last week as part of widespread protests of the government’s plan to end the near-sacred right to retire at 60, leading to a run on petrol stations and concerns about fuel shortages at the country’s main airport.