The Basque separatist group ETA is coming under increased pressure to end its 35-year long violent campaign for an independent homeland.
The head of the Basque regional government in Spain, Juan José Ibarretxe, called on ETA to lay down its weapons for good, saying violence would not bring the region greater autonomy.
Mr Ibarretxe was speaking in Bilbao at a rally to celebrate Basque homeland day.
His comments came as the group is reported to be considering a ceasefire. However, some radicals say such a move is unlikely in the near future.
Fernando Barrera, a member of parliament for the Batasuna party, which is considered to be the political wing of ETA, said he did not think a truce would come immediately.
