Paris  - The government of French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Tuesday easily rebuffed a no-confidence vote brought by the opposition Socialists in the National Assembly.

Although the no-confidence measure was supported by all left-wing law makers and the head of the centrist Modem party, Francois Bayrou, it fell 58 votes short of the
289-vote majority required.

The measure never had a realistic chance of passing because the UMP party of President Nicolas Sarkozy holds a large majority in the body.

The Socialists had accused the government of "incompetence" in the face of the economic crisis.

The vote came two days before a general strike called by the country's major labour unions to demand higher pay and more job security, and to demand more aid from the government for France's small and middle-sized companies. (dpa)