Italy taxi drivers suspend protest before talks

Rome - Taxi drivers have agreed to suspend their protest against a deregulation plan ahead of talks with the government later this week.

Thousands of taxi drivers had marched on government buildings in the capital Rome on Wednesday morning local time, but riot police blocked most from reaching their goal.

The atmosphere was sometimes tense as police blocked off streets leading to parliament and the offices of the prime minister. One government minister was briefly roughed up by the protesters.

A few hundred taxi drivers managed to reach the area near parliament through back streets but no clashes were reported. Drivers also blocked squares and main roads in other Italian cities.

The drivers are demanding that the government withdraw a decree aimed at increasing competition in various sectors of the economy. The plan would increase the number of taxi licences, with the aim of improving service and perhaps reducing fares.

In the face of the protest, Economic Development Minister Pierluigi Bersani said talks could be held with the taxi drivers on Friday as long as they stopped the unrest.

Union leaders said they had accepted the proposal, at least in Rome for now, but maintained a call for a nationwide strike on July 11.

- REUTERS