MORE THAN 600,000 PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS IN CITIES

PARIS, NOVEMBER 5 /SRNA/ - More than 600,000 people took to the streets in French cities today, demanding higher wages and expressing support for the student movement, the Interior Ministry said.

Protests were held in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other French cities, with most passing off peacefully. The French Interior Ministry stressed that the attendance figures were provisional, the Associated Press reported.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 70,000 police officers had been deployed, with support from armoured vehicles, drones and helicopters.

The protest in Paris passed off peacefully and drew large crowds, including students, who were joined by workers and pensioners demanding higher wages and pensions.

Around one-third of secondary schools were closed or unable to operate, some due to student blockades and others because of teachers' strikes. Public transport services were also disrupted in some areas, while the Eiffel Tower was closed today.