Terror threat, strikes disrupt travel in France

Terror threat, strikes disrupt travel in France

A warning about a possible al-Qaeda terror attack, and the crippling strikes of government workers have combined to disrupt travel throughout France.

Refineries and fuel depots have been made inaccessible by oil workers who are protesting a government plan to extend the retirement age by two years, prompting calls from aviation officials for airlines to trim their operations by half.

The French Senate will vote on the proposal to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 on Wednesday. French President Nickolas Sarkozy plans to implement the reform to prevent more losses in the state’s pension funds.

About 1,000 gas stations reportedly ran out of fuel because supplies were cut including routes and highways near Paris, Lyon, and Lille.

Meanwhile, railway workers staged a 24-hour strike in Belgium, forcing train stations there to shut down and affecting train services to France, Germany and the Netherlands. The Eurostar route between Brussels and London was also disrupted because of the strike.

The Interior Minister of France said on Sunday that “al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was doubtless active or envisioned being active” in planning or staging an attack on the “European continent, notably France.”

French authorities issued the warning based on intelligence information given by Saudi Arabia of a potential, imminent attack orchestrated by the terrorist organization.

Security has been increased in popular tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Last month alone, nine bomb threats - two in the Eiffel Tower - were issued by the French government. The police found no bombs in all the threatened locations.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Tuesday October 19 2010, 6:48 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0