Iran Press/ Europe: France government deployed more than 147,000 security forces nationwide to gird for New Year's Eve unrest as Yellow Vest protesters joined the public revelry on the famed Champs-Elysee avenue in Paris, France 24 news channel reported.
The interior ministry said the heavy security measures were needed because of a 'high terrorist threat' and concerns about non declared protests.
Police in Paris put a security perimeter around the Champs-Elysee, the site of an annual light show and celebration, to stave off violent demonstrations by the so-called Yellow vest protesters.
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But the expected protest, timed to coincide with President Emmanuel Macron's traditional New Year's Eve message, remained small and peaceful.
"This feels like a New Year's Eve like any other," said France 24's Shona Bhattacharyya, reporting from the famed Paris avenue.
The 'non-violent and festive' demonstration was organised on Facebook where nearly 9,000 people indicated they planned to attend -- less than the 12,000 police who were on duty in Paris.
The interior ministry said extra security across France would focus on popular gathering places, public transportation, roads and shopping areas.
France remains on high alert due to the threat of terrorism, with the latest attack dating to December 11 when 3 people were killed by a gunman at a Christmas market in Strasbourg.
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New Year's Eve also sees hundreds of cars set on fire in what has become a grim annual tradition that ties up police officers.
Since November 17, thousands of protesters -- wearing yellow vests -- have been gathering in major French cities including Paris to protest President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation.
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The demonstrators, who generally live in rural areas due to high rents in the cities, have called on Macron to cut fuel taxes and ease their economic difficulties.
According to a recent survey, 84 percent of the French people -- mostly from the middle-income group -- support the protests.
Fuel prices in France have risen more than 20 percent this year.
This movement spread to other countries including Belgium and Netherlands in a short time.
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