A growing fuel crisis is gripping France as protests against the government's pension plans escalate. Hundreds of petrol stations are reported to be running dry with many people panic buying. And France has begun to draw an emergency fuel reserve. A nationwide day of protests is planned for Tuesday, the sixth in less than two months. In the run up to the Senate vote this week, President Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. He has vowed to press ahead with the plan. He called a crisis cabinet to protect supplies. President Sarkozy told reporters that the reforms were essential and would be carried out.