French president stands by controversial reforms amid new protests

French President Francois Hollande vowed Tuesday to stick with his controversial attempts to reform the labour market, even as a new round of violent protests broke out. Police fired tear gas in central Paris as an initially peaceful protest organised by unions and students was disrupted by a more radical fringe. "I will not give way because too many (previous) governments have backed down," Hollande said in an hour-long interview with Europe 1 radio.