DAVOS (Switzerland) - FRENCH Finance Minister Christine Lagarde warned on Saturday that the world economic crisis could provoke 'social unrest.'

'Social unrest and protectionism are the two major risks of the world economic crisis,' she told the Davos forum.

Ms Lagarde said the risks were increased by 'having to engage taxpayers' money and by hampered growth.'

World powers must take decisive action leading up to a summit of the Group of 20 nations in London in April, she said.

'We need to give an extremely strong signal as early as April 2 at the G20 meeting in London to restore confidence in the system,' she said. -- AFP