
Violent protests in Paris spread to Brussels and Amsterdam last night, as 1,400 are arrested and French police call up to 8,000 reinforcements in a bid to quell the rising discontent.

The French 'Yellow Vest' protest movement crossed borders, with demonstrations in neighboring Belgium and in the Netherlands even though meither country has proposed a hike in fuel tax - the catalyst for the destructive demonstrations in France in recent weeks.

Hundreds of police officers were mobilised in Brussels on Saturday, where yellow vest protesters last week clashed with police and torched two police vehicles.

Belgian police fired tear gas and water cannons at stone-throwing yellow-vested protesters near the country's government offices and parliament.

Protesters smashed street signs and traffic lights near a police barricade blocking access to the office of Prime Minister Charles Michel, as they chanted slogans calling on him to resign. They threw paving stones, fireworks, flares and other objects at police.

Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere says around 400 protesters are gathered in the area.

About 100 have been detained, many for possessing dangerous objects like fireworks or wearing clothing that could be used as protection in clashes with police.

More than 650 protesters were detained in France last night, as riots continued into the evening. The yellow vest protesters are angry with rising living costs and proposed tax hikes in France

The view of the Place de la Republique as riot police tried to keep protesters away from major landmarks but struggled with the weight of numbers

Smoke from grenades billows into the night sky as the Yellow Vests surround the Place de la Republique and a helicopter circles overhead

In the Netherlands, about 100 protesters gathered in a peaceful demonstration outside the Dutch parliament in The Hague. At least two protesters were detained by police in central Amsterdam.

Protests also continued in Paris on Saturday as rioters set fire to cars, burn barricades and smash windows in pockets of violence across the city centre. Police reinforcements were boosted to 8,000 across the city, with armoured vehicles deployed in Paris for the first time ever.

More than 650 protesters were detained in the capital last night. Many of them stopped as they arrived at train stations or meeting points carrying hammers, petanque balls and other potential missiles.

Nationwide, 89,000 police officers were on duty in towns, cities and on numerous motorways which caused havoc on France's road network, including a blockade of a border crossing with Spain.

Police officers stand guard beside their vans and armoured cars pack the route towards the Arc de Triomphe as they try to contain the rioters and keep them away from the landmark

A youngster lies on the wet street with his hands bound behind his back close to the Place de la Republique as members of the Yellow Vests close to him bleed from injuries on their foreheads

The shell of a Smart car burns on the streets of Paris, as the warped sign of store nearby is melted by the flames; despite authorities being on high alert the chaos has continued

A young man sits with blood pouring from his face as he is detained by riot police who stand around him and other protestors covered in blood after heavy clashes in the Place de la Republique

A woman wags her finger at heavily-armoured gendarmerie in Paris on the fourth Saturday of protests against fuel duty and cost of living

Rioters clash with heavily armoured police at the Place de la Republique in central Paris on Saturday night, as the city was torn to pieces by carnage

Mounted police bark orders as they try to take control of the streets which have been dominated by protesters for another weekend

Armour-clad gendarmerie stand on the corner of a street littered with broken projectiles as a Ford hatchback billows toxic fumes from its burning shell

A yellow vest holds up a sign as a jet from a water cannon sprays over his head near Avenue Marceau, Paris on Saturday

Yellow vests tend to a fallen comrade who bleeds from the head after he was injured in the protests on Saturday

Protestors wearing a yellow vest stand next to a burning barricade, during a demonstration against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Toulouse, southern France (pictured)

Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse (pictured) and other cities also saw major clashes between protesters and police on Saturday

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said about 120 demonstrators and nearly 20 police officers had been injured nationwide, as the Paris riots spread to cities including Toulouse

Riots also spread to Bordeaux this evening (pictured), with protesters detained across the city. The riots began on November 17 over rising fuel prices - partly due to taxes aimed at helping the country transition to a lower-carbon economy. But the demonstrations have since swollen into a broad movement against ex-banker Macron, whom the protesters accuse of favouring the rich

Protestors stand near a fire this evening in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on the sideline of a demonstration against rising costs of living - as the movement spreads to cities and towns across the city

A yellow vest protester is marched away from the scene of chaos near to the Champs Elysees, Paris' main thoroughfare

French police officers handcuff rioters and take them away from the area as they try to impose themselves on the streets of Paris

French riot police tackle a protester to the deck at riots in Mondeville near Caen in northwestern France on Saturday

Riot police members stand in a Paris street as garbage is burnt in the foreground during a protest of yellow vests. Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner

Protesters with 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) gather in the background following clashes with riot police during a protest against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Tours, northwestern France

Police also clashed with protesters in the southwestern city of Toulouse, though elsewhere, such as Marseille, the demonstrations were peaceful.

Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

Earlier on Saturday, French police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and Emmanuel Macron.

Dramatic photographs offered a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as protesters continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax.

Cars were flipped and set ablaze, smoke bombs were launched and tri-colour flags waved in defiance as heavily amoured police fought back in a bid to keep control of the city streets.

The French protests also attracted the attention of US President Donald Trump, who said they were evidence of a lack of public support for pro-environment policies like the Paris climate agreement.

'The Paris Agreement isn't working out so well for Paris. Protests and riots all over France,' Trump tweeted.

The demonstrations are not linked to the climate agreement.

Paris is on lockdown as armed police battle to contain 'yellow vest' demonstrators with more than 700 arrests in the fourth straight weekend of demonstrations over living costs and proposed tax rises in France. Angry protesters have been pictured throwing flares and smoke bombs at police who have returned in kind with tear gas and water cannons

French riot police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and French President Emmanuel Macron

A protester waves a French flag during clash with riot police amid tear gas near the Champs Elysees in Paris on December 8

Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax

Protestors wearing 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) stand behind grids set on fire near the Champs Elysees avenue as they protest against living costs and proposed tax rises in France

Protests spread to Marseille this weekend, with a car seen here burning during clashes with police over Emmanuel Macron presidency

A woman is sprayed with teargas by the riot police officer during the 'yellow vests' protest against higher fuel prices, in Brussels

The rioting has now spread across Europe to Brussels (pictured) and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to tackle more violent demonstrations

Protesters were seen wearing yellow vests during a protest near European institutions headquarters in Brussels on Saturday (pictured)

Pepper spray was used to quell protesters, as demonstrations spread to Brussels today after weeks of unrest in France

Firemen work to extinguish vehicules on fire during a 'yellow vests' demonstration against rising costs of living near the Champ Elysees

While elsewhere rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to more violent demonstrations

While elsewhere rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to more violent demonstrations

Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image

Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image.

Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city.

Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood.

Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood

Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city

Riot police forces spray tear gas at a woman during copycat 'yellow vest' demonstrations rocking neighbouring France, in Brussels

Some stores along the Champs-Elysee had boarded up their windows with plywood, making the neighborhood appear like it was bracing for a hurricane

Protests have also spread to Amsterdam in the Netherlands where groups are angry at high prices of food and fuel

Multiple protesters were hurt in Saturday's clashes with police. Paris police said 30 people were injured, including three police officers.

A video journalist was wounded in the leg as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on the Champs-Elysees.

Some stores along the Champs-Elysee had boarded up their windows with plywood, making the neighborhood appear like it was bracing for a hurricane. Angry protesters on Saturday tried to rip the boards off.

Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman.

Angry protesters on Saturday tried to rip the boards off. Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman

Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman

Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968.

Also last week some 200 cars were torched in the worst rioting in Paris in decades.

Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season.

The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down.

The yellow vest movement - named after the fluorescent outerwear French drivers must keep in their vehicles - started as a protest against higher taxes for diesel and gas, but quickly expanded to encompass wide frustration at stagnant incomes, the rising cost of living and other grievances.

Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968

Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down

Protesters who came to Paris from Normandy described seeing officers block yellow-vested passengers from boarding public transportation at stops along their route. The national gendarme service posted a video on Twitter of police tackling a protester and confiscating his dangerous material, which appeared to be primarily a tennis racket

Macron on Wednesday agreed to abandon the fuel tax hike, which aimed to wean France off fossil fuels and uphold the Paris climate agreement, but that hasn't defused the anger.

After two weekends of violence in Paris that made the authorities look powerless, police went into overdrive Saturday to keep a lid on unrest.

Protesters who came to Paris from Normandy described seeing officers block yellow-vested passengers from boarding public transportation at stops along their route.

The national gendarme service posted a video on Twitter of police tackling a protester and confiscating his dangerous material, which appeared to be primarily a tennis racket.

Riot police fire tear gas canisters at yellow-vested protesters gathered on the Paris' famed Champs-Elysees Avenue

Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government following Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax

France had been braced for 'ultra-violent' demonstrations on Saturday, with tens of thousands of officers deployed to police the anti-government protests

Macron's government had warned that the yellow vest protests had created a 'monster' and that Saturday's protests would be hijacked by radicalized and rebellious crowds.

Demonstrators waving French flags, shouting the French anthem and wearing the movement's signature neon vests gathered before dawn Saturday near the Arc de Triomphe, then tried to march down the Champs-Elysees Avenue toward the presidential palace.

Rows of helmeted, thickly protected riot police blocked their passage down the Champs-Elysees toward the heart of presidential power. So the protesters tried other routes, marching through the prime shopping district that includes the high-end stores of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps and the Palais Garnier opera house.

About 89,000 police were deployed across the country. Of these, about 8,000 were deployed in Paris to avoid a repeat of last Saturday's mayhem when rioters torched cars and looted shops off the famed Champs Elysees boulevard, and defaced the Arc de Triomphe monument with graffiti directed at President Emmanuel Macron

Police are seizing protective equipment from journalists and barring some provincial yellow vest protesters from boarding trains to Paris, as part of exceptionally stringent security measures to prevent a repeat of last week's rioting

French gendarmerie keep watch during the demonstration of the yellow vests on the Champs-Elysees avenue

National police estimated the number of protesters in Paris on Saturday at 8,000, among 31,000 protesters nationwide. They appeared to be outnumbered by police, with 8,000 officers deployed in the capital alone and 89,000 fanned out around the country.

The yellow vests include people with views that range from the far right to the far left. The group has no leaders but is united in its feeling that Macron and his government are out of touch with the concerns of ordinary French families.

'We are here to tell (Macron) our discontent. Me, I'm not here to break things because I have four children so I am going to try to be safe for them, because they are afraid,' protester Myriam Diaz told the AP. 'But I still want to be here to say `Stop, that's enough, this has to stop.''

Cyril, a garbage truck driver in Normandy who earns 1,430 euros (£1,431) a month, said Macron's mistake was trying to reform France too quickly.

Protester holds a Brittany flag as 'Yellow vests' protesters clash with riot police amid tear gas on the Champs Elysees

Police are already battling accusations Friday of being heavy-handed, with a video of high-school pupils kneeling on the ground with their hands behind their heads causing widespread outrage

Paris police are firing water cannons on yellow-vested protesters throwing flares and setting fires in one of the French capital's main shopping districts. Scattered clashes are continuing around the city as the protesters seek to reach the presidential palace and demand President Emmanuel Macron's resignation

'I don't want to have kids because I have trouble feeding myself, let alone another mouth,' the 25-year-old said, adding he came to Paris to demonstrate and 'defend myself.'

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner urged calm. 'I ask the yellow vests that want to bring about a peaceful message to not go with the violent people. We know that the violent people are only strong because they hide themselves within the yellow vests, which hampers the security forces,' he said Saturday.

Four people have been killed in accidents since the unrest began Nov. 17. Christmas markets, national soccer matches and countless other events have been canceled due to the protests.

While the situation is tense, police appear to have it more under control than a week ago, when rioting and looting overwhelmed Paris security forces

Like several neighborhoods of Paris, the area is largely locked down, with many stores shuttered for fear of violence. Overall police estimate there are about 8,000 yellow vest protesters in Paris on Saturday, down from last week. Meanwhile the government deployed 8,000 police in the city, as part of exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting, which injured 130 people and struck a new blow to France's global image

French CRS riot police vehicles stand in place along the Printemps Department store during a national day of protest by the 'yellow vests' movement in Paris

The protests, named after the high-visibility safety jackets French motorists have to keep in their cars, erupted in November over the squeeze on household budgets caused by fuel taxes. Demonstrations have since swelled into a broad, sometimes violent rebellion against Macron, a challenge made more difficult to handle since the movement has no formal leader

Authorities say the protests have been hijacked by far-right and anarchist elements bent on violence and stirring up social unrest in a direct affront to Macron and the security forces. 'We have prepared a robust response,' Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Saturday. He called on peaceful protesters not to get mixed up with 'hooligans'

French police arrest a man during a Yellow Vests demonstration. Macron, whose popularity is at a low ebb according to polls, has been forced into making the first major U-turn of his presidency by abandoning a fuel tax. Despite the climbdown, the 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government, including lower taxes

Demonstrators wearing yellow vests march down the Champs Elysees holding the French tricolor in Paris

Some 89,000 officers, as well as armoured vehicles, have taken position across the nation. There were 8,000 police in Paris alone. Saturday's protests were predicted to be most dangerous yet

Macron, who has not spoken in public since he condemned last Saturday's disturbances while at the G20 summit in Argentina, will address the nation early next week, his office said

Officials are set to deploy 12 Berliet VXB-170s, which are usually equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun and a 56mm Alsetex Cougar grenade launcher

Macron has agreed to abandon the fuel tax hike that triggered the movement. However, protesters' demands have now expanded to other issues hurting French workers, retirees and students

People face off with French Gendarmes as they demonstrate during a national day of protest by the 'yellow vests' movement in Paris

About 5,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysées and marched a short distance to a police cordon, where they stopped. There have been a few confrontations, with police firing tear gas at protesters in a side street as tensions flared

Riot police clash with protesters wearing yellow vests on the Champs Elysee

Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas locked down Saturday and tens of thousands of police took position around France, fearing worsening violence in a new round of anti-government protests

A riot police holds a flashball gun during a protest of Yellow vests against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes, near the Champs Elysees in Paris

A protestor wearing yellow vest kicks back a tear gas canister on the Champs Elysee in Paris

Protesters also blocked roads, roundabouts and tollbooths elsewhere in France. Offshoot movements have emerged elsewhere, and yellow-vest protests were held Saturday in Belgium and the Netherlands.

U.S. President Donald Trump sought to fuel the anger in France, seizing the moment to criticize the Paris climate accord, which he is abandoning.

'People do not want to pay large sums of money ... in order to maybe protect the environment,' he tweeted.

Many economists and scientists, however, say higher fuel taxes are essential to saving the planet from worsening climate change.