French anti-Sarkozy protesters smash windows

PARIS (Reuters) - Between 300 and 400 youths protesting against French president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy smashed shop windows, burnt scooters and clashed with police in central Paris on Monday evening, Reuters witnesses said.

Several hundred riot police tried to chase the youths, who gathered in the Place de la Bastille chanting anti-Sarkozy slogans on two separate occasions during the evening.

At least two scooters were burnt, telephone cabins were smashed and several cars were damaged. Around 35 people were arrested and there were several clashes between the youths and police.

In Nantes, in western France, around 400 protesters gathered in the center of the town. They smashed windows and damaged several cars before being dispersed by police with tear gas.

Around 500 protesters gathered in Lyon eastern France, and in Caen in northern France around 800 people demonstrated in the center of the town. French radio said there were other protests in other towns.

Sarkozy's win on Sunday night was marred by violence. Overnight demonstrators set fire to 730 cars and injured 78 policemen.