Paris, France (AHN) – French riot police have broken a key oil refinery blockade outside Paris acting on orders from the president who has refused to back down from pension reform plans.

Oil refinery workers striking over President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to hike the retirement age had blocked 12 refineries, resulting in nearly one-third of the nation’s gas stations either running out of gas or running short. In addition, Paris airports were running out of jet fuel.

Paris airports and area gasoline stations get aviation, diesel and gasoline fuels through a pipeline from the nearby Grandpuits refinery. Police broke through strikers there and regained control of that critical refinery on Friday.

Police also removed strikers from two fuel depots. However, protesters are still blocking other refineries and unions have called for another two days of protests along with rolling strikes.

In the meantime, the Senate is scheduled to vote on raising the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 and full state retirement age from 65 to 67. A committee vote could take place later today. If the bill clears the committee, the next step would be a vote in both houses of parliament.

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