THE French government stalled yesterday on its vow to expel 300 African immigrants, including to in the 45th day of a hunger strike, who have been holed up in a Paris church since June in hopes of obtaining residency papers.
The immigrants, joined by hundreds of French supporters at the St Bernard Church, have said they fear a police raid could come at any time following the statement by the Prime Minister Mr Alain Juppe that letting them stay would violate the law.
The Africans, who took refuge in the church on June 28th have urged President Chirac to intervene and negotiate with them, but the Interior Minister, Mr Jean Louis Debre, has said he is willing only to negotiate the terms of their departure.
After spending two sleepless nights awaiting police action, the Africans speculated that police would wait until today, when their supporters will have gone from the site to return to work.
The far right National Front has said it wants them "kicked out". The Socialist opposition leader, Mr Lionel Jospin, has urged the government to negotiate and avoid a violent showdown.
The protest was shaping up as a public relations nightmare for the Juppe government as celebrities and activists flocked to the church in the capital's multi ethnic Goutte d'Or neighbourhood to show their solidarity. Among those visiting or passing the night at the crowded church have been Mrs Danielle Mitterrand, the widow of the late French president, and Bishop Jacques Gaillot, who was sacked by the Vatican last year for his liberal views.
The Malian consul, Mr Hamadou Guisse, also visited the church late on Saturday, shaking the hands of the hunger strikers, most of them Malians in their 20s and early 30s, and giving money to the protest organisers to help take care of the children.
People outside the church said they hoped to provide early warning in case of a raid. The Africans have made plans to chain themselves to each other and to the visiting celebrities should the police try to remove them forcibly from the church.