Paris marches in support of Guadeloupe

21/02/09 18:53 CET

France

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Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the French capital to show their solidarity with protestors in France’s overseas departments.

A month of strikes over high food prices and low wages has hit the economies of Guadeloupe and Martinique hard.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised the islands a 580 million-euro support package.

Speaking from Paris on Saturday, he said the worst of the crisis was over but was aware that much work remained to be done.

Relative calm has returned to Guadeloupe after three days of rioting that left one prominent union activist dead from gunshot wounds.

Government officials have been in talks with unions and industry leaders to bring an end to the strikes.