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PARIS - French riot police clashed with youths at one of the main railway stations in Paris today as tensions simmering since mass unrest in 2005 flared up ahead of next month's presidential election.
Scores of police descended on the the Gare du Nord after what officials said was a scuffle between a passenger and ticket collectors. Witnesses said the incident escalated quickly.
A Reuters correspondent on the scene said the youths, many black or of apparently immigrant origin, threw plastic bottles, flowerpots and cans at the police, while frustrated rush hour commuters, unable to catch their trains, also milled around.
There were calls of "Sarkozy hypocrite!", referring to former Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who stepped down from his post on Monday to concentrate on his frontrunning campaign as presidential candidate of the ruling UMP party.
Sarkozy, who made his name as a law and order hardliner in the riots that hit the poor suburbs around Paris and other French cities in 2005, is often accused by his critics of exploiting fears over security to help his political career.
He points to rising public concern over safety in support of his tough approach. Security and immigration have taken centre stage as the presidential election campaign rolls on towards its first round of balloting on April 22.
Police said they made seven arrests. A spokeswoman for the Paris transport authority said the incident was triggered after an argument between a passenger and ticket inspectors.
"This passenger did not have a ticket. There was an altercation with the inspectors, two of whom were injured. The person was taken by the inspectors and handed over to the police," the spokeswoman said.
- REUTERS
