Basque rebels Eta declare 'permanent' ceasefire

The separatist group Eta today declared a permanent ceasefire in its campaign for independence for the Basque region which has cost more than 800 lives since 1968.

Eta, classified as a terrorist group by the European Union, has previously announced ceasefires and then called them off.

However, today it said it will offer to make the halt to "offensive armed actions" verifiable by international observers.

It recorded a video which was to be shown on the internet site of Basque newspaper Gara outlining its position.

The Spanish government is sceptical about the group's intentions and has demanded that it simply declares it has given up violence once and for all.