The French Union of Petroleum Industries said on Wednesday that France began tapping strategic reserves to fulfill the needs of gas stations amid strikes and public protests.

Francis Dozo, the chairman of the French Union of Petroleum Industries said that refining processes came to a halt over the past 48 hours.

Roads leading to fuel depots, he added, have been blocked resulting in releasing the strategic reserves.

French government spokesman Stéphane Le Foll, for his part, said France will take the measures required to lift the blockade on refineries and depots so as to meet the French people needs.

Source: MENA