UPDATE - Tensions grow in Paris as thousands protest government pension reform plan

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By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - Tensions rose Saturday in Paris during protests against the government's pension reform plan.

Nationwide demonstrations have begun in France's capital and other cities for the seventh time since January with thousands rejecting the plan which triggered public outrage when it was announced last year, according to media reports.

Protests started earlier in cities such as Nice and Toulouse, while thousands started rallying in Paris in the afternoon.

In Paris, protesters threw projectiles at police officers who intervened with force, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

Authorities arrested five people carrying prohibited arms, including a liter of burning alcohol, before the protests started in Paris, French police said.

French intelligence is expecting between 800,000 and 1 million protesters on Saturday, according to BFMTV.

Paris alone is expected to host up to 100,000 protesters, it added.

The reform plans include raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 in 2030 and requiring at least 43 years of work to be eligible for full pensions.