Basque rebels Eta have decided to no longer carry out armed attacks, Basque-language newspaper Gara said on its website today.
Gara did not make clear whether the ceasefire was permanent or temporary. Officials at the Spanish Interior Ministry declined to comment.
In a video posted on the Gara site, three figures were shown dressed in black, their faces covered with white cloths with holes cut out for their eyes.
They were seated at a table under the emblem of the separatist group and next to the Basque flag, and the central figure made a statement in the Basque language.
"Eta makes it known that for several months now it has taken the decision not to carry out armed attacks," said a transcript of the statement, translated into Spanish, also posted on the Gara website. Eta is ready "to start the democratic process," it said.
Eta has been responsible for around 850 deaths in a four-decade fight to carve out an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southern France, but the organisation has been crippled by the arrest of leading members in recent years.
The group's leader was caught in February in northern France along with two senior Eta members.
Eta declared a permanent ceasefire in March 2006, but Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called off the peace process later that year after the group detonated a car bomb at Madrid airport that killed two Ecuadorians.
Commenting on the Eta announcement, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams urged the Spanish government "to grasp the opportunity presented by the significant move".
Welcoming the move, Mr Adams said in a statement: "This . . . has the potential to bring about a permanent end to the long running conflict in the Basque country.
"It is now vital that the Spanish government respond positively and grasp the opportunity to advance a peace process presented by today’s announcement and quickly establish inclusive political negotiations."
Reuters
