Spain's Basque separatists Eta call 'permanent truce'

The Basque separatist group Eta has announced a permanent ceasefire in its fight for independence from Spain.

In a video statement sent to the media, the group said the truce would be "internationally verifiable".

But the Spanish government has rejected Eta's statement, saying it contained nothing new.

Eta's campaign for independence for the Basque region has cost more than 800 lives since 1968 but it called a halt to armed attacks last year.

Sarah Rainsford reports.