Olympic torch extinguished a third time in Paris
Posted: 07 April 2008 2236 hrs

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PARIS - The Beijing Olympics torch was extinguished for a third time on Monday as hundreds of pro-Tibetan demonstrators disrupted its progress through Paris.

The Olympic flame had to be carried by bus from the Alma Bridge on the Seine to the top of the Champs-Elysees, where it was lit again, but crowds of activists booed and jeered as the torchbearers jogged down the famous avenue.

Media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) later hung a flag depicting the Olympic rings symbol in the form of handcuffs, from a building on the Champs-Elysees as the torchbearers made their way along it.

Earlier Monday, the torch was twice extinguished for safety reasons, according to police officials.

It had got just 200 metres from its starting point at the Eiffel Tower when it was first snuffed out and put on the bus. It was then taken off the vehicle for a brief time before being carried back on board.

Police made at least five arrests among campaigners protesting China's crackdown in Tibet, who delayed the torch's planned journey through the city by at least an hour. - AFP/ir