France finds it's Balls!

The disturbances happened at the Place de la Bastille, a popular hub for demonstrations and strikes. Thousands of police have been deployed in the capital and its suburbs.
Railway stations are also under high surveillance in case gangs of youths travel to disrupt victory festivities.

Nicolas Sarkozy wins French presidency
By ANGELA DOLAND, Associated Press

PARIS - Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy won the French presidency by a comfortable margin Sunday and immediately signalled his victory would mean friendly relations with the United States.

His socialist opponent, Segolene Royal, conceded defeat for her hopes of becoming France's first woman president. With nearly 70 percent of ballots counted, Sarkozy had just over 53 percent of the vote, according to the Interior Ministry.

Washington can "count on our friendship," Sarkozy told hundreds of cheering supporters, though he added that "friendship means accepting that friends can have different opinions."

President Bush swiftly phoned the new president-elect to offer congratulations.

"The United States and France are historic allies and partners. President Bush looks forward to working with President-elect Sarkozy as we continue our strong alliance," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

Largely untested on the global stage, Sarkozy delved into foreign policy in his first speech as president-elect, urging the United States to take the lead on climate change and saying the issue would be a priority for France.

"The people of France have chosen change," Sarkozy said, while pledging to be "president of all the French."

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