PARIS - The Beijing Olympic torch relay resumed on ground around 2 pm (1200 GMT) on Monday after the torch was twice put onto bus during earlier for technical reasons, a Xinhua photographer following the torch relay witnessed.

The torch was first put on a bus shortly after its start from the starting point, the Eiffel Tower, and the second time was around 1: 30 pm (1130 GMT).

Earlier, a member from the French Greens Party had attempted to snatch the torch from former world 400 meters hurdles champion Stephane Diagana, the first torchbearer, but was stopped by policemen.

Around 3,000 French policemen have been deployed to protect the 28-km Olympic torch relay in Paris, which started shortly after midday and is expected to conclude at 5 p.m. (1500 GMT) at Stade Charlety in the south of Paris.