Police take 18 into custody after gang fight 03/09/2007 00:00

Paris (AP) - Police took 18 people in for questioning, including 11 minors, after fighting broke out between rival gangs near a Paris train station this weekend, police said Monday.

Two people were slightly injured during the fighting that started in a bar in northern Paris near the Gare du Nord train station, police said. Police dispersed the groups, but fighting continued in the streets near the train station.

Some of the youths who were arrested come from the suburbs north of Paris where three weeks of rioting erupted in 2005. That violence was born of pent-up anger _ especially among youths of Arab and African origin _ over high unemployment and racial inequalities.

Police said Sunday's fighting was likely sparked by a romantic quarrel and involved several rival gangs who have been sparring for weeks.

Gare du Nord, one of the city's most important transport hubs, was the site of a clash in March between riot police and bands of youths who shattered windows and looted shops.

AP

Subject: French news