Eiffel Tower shuts as Paris braces for fresh violence

THE Eiffel Tower in Paris will be closed today as French authorities tighten security to prevent another outbreak of violence following three weeks of antigovernment protests.

In addition to the 8,000 police forces that will be deployed in the French capital, the Paris police prefect has identified 14 high-risk sectors that will be cleared out.

Fearing protesters could target street furniture or construction sites, Paris police will remove all the glass containers, railings and building machines set up in the identified sectors which include the Champs-Elysees avenue.

Across the country some 89,000 police will be mobilised, up from 65,000 last weekend.