Olympic torch relay suspended in Paris

The suspension of the relay came shortly after it began from the Eiffel Tower, where several hundred people carrying Tibetan flags and signs reading "Save Tibet" gathered to demonstrate. It's not clear if or when the relay will resume.

Around 3,000 French police were part of a security effort to protect the procession as it was to make its way through the city streets Monday.

Police had barricaded the streets and traffic was to be shut off from areas along the route of the torch relay.

The security detail included around 200 police officers who were to accompany the torch run on inline skates and on foot.

As well, 65 motorcycles with police riders were to surround the torch with 200 to 300 riot police officers in 32 vans following. Three boats were also to patrol the Seine River, and a helicopter was to fly over Paris, police said.

CBC's David Common said the security presence was akin to what would be given to a high-profile head of state.

Common said it would have been nearly impossible to actually see the flame because of the security.

About 80 athletes were to carry the torch over a 27-kilometre route heading down the Champs Elysée past the city hall, then crossing the Seine before ending at the Charlety track and field stadium.

The heavy security presence was designed to avoid confrontations like those that occurred in London on Sunday. Police repeatedly scuffled with protesters including one who tried to grab the torch, while another tried to snuff out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher. Thirty-seven people were arrested.

Robert Menard, head of Reporters Without Borders, said the group had altered its initial plans to protest because of the heavy police turnout, but promised protests would be "spectacular."

Meanwhile, in Beijing Monday, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said he was "very concerned" about unrest in Tibet.

"The International Olympic Committee has expressed its serious concern and calls for a rapid peaceful resolution in Tibet," Rogge said. He added that violent protests, "for whatever reason," are "not compatible with the values of the torch relay or the Olympic Games."

Photo: Stéphane Diagana, the 400-metre world champion in 1997 who is now president of France's national athletics league, carries the Olympic torch at the beginning of its relay from the Eiffel Tower in Paris before security officials decided to suspend the run.

With files from the Associated Press

Source: http://snipurl.com/23ocb  [www_cbc_ca]