Paris, France (AHN) – French streets witnessed a sixth national day of strikes against the government’s pension reform plans as more than a million people joined strikes Tuesday to step up pressure of President Nicolas Sarkozy.

There were also incidences of looting in Lyon, while cars were set ablaze in another Paris suburb. Despite the violence and ongoing strikes, Sarkozy remained adamant and vowed to go ahead with plans to raise retirement age.

Speaking at a news conference in Deauville, the president first appealed for calm and then described it as his duty to take actions against the “troublemakers” so that public order could be guaranteed. “The biggest oversight would be to not do my job and to not ensure the financing of retirement pensions for today and tomorrow,” he added.

The strikes have affected nearly 4,000 petrol stations as they went out of service due to fuel shortage.

Talking to parliamentarians, Energy Minister Jean-Louis Borloo denied the claims and insisted that fewer than 4,000 petrol stations out of a total of 13,000 were awaiting supplies. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced main oil companies would share their reserves in order to end the shortages at petrol stations within five days.

According to Petrol Industries Association President Jean-Louis Schilansky, his association will bring more lorries into service and did not rule out a plan to hire foreign haulers if necessary.

Meanwhile, union officials have urged transport workers to join the strikes on Wednesday. On Tuesday, air traffic controllers also staged a one-day walkout, canceling half of Paris’ Orly airport’s flights.

The effect of the strike could also be seen on Paris Metro where trains were unusually crowded since only half of the total services were operating. The national rail operator SNCF has confirmed that three-quarters of the trains’ services had been cancelled.

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