French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed to transport unions to suspend strikes during the Christmas holidays.
“Strike action is justifiable and protected by the constitution, but I think there are moments in a nation’s life when it is good to observe a truce out of respect for families and family life,” Macron said.
He added that the brief suspension would not mean unions abandoned their demands, instead, it would show a "sense of responsibility and the respect owed to French people".
A two-week nationwide strike against Macron's pension overhaul is set to disrupt travel for hundreds of thousands of people during the holiday season.


Chinese national rescued from Nepal tunnel 10 days after flash flood
One dead, 11 people missing after mudslide in China's Jiangxi province
Philippine VP Duterte posts bail after arrest order for alleged grave threats
Lindsay Clancy trial over killing her children ends in mistrial
Israel says it strikes southern Lebanon after Hezbollah drone launch
Sydney sweats in spring hot spell, faces 'extreme' bushfire risk
Nine days after disaster, two pulled alive from Nepal hydropower tunnel
Germany launches manhunt after spate of sabotage attacks on power grid
