Spanish Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero on Monday thanked the French government for the recent capture in the country of a top leader of the separatist organization Basque Homeland and Freedom (ETA).

Zapatero congratulated French President Jacques Chirac and his government on the arrest of ETA leader Mikel Antza, and praised Paris for its collaboration in the combat against the ETA.

Zapatero told a news conference that the arrests of Antza and other ETA members in France is an important step in fighting the separatist organization "which has no other aim than violence."

Antza and his partner Soledad Iparaguirre, both 43, were arrested Sunday by French agents at Salis-de-Bearn, southwestern France. Also arrested were other suspected members of the ETA.

The ETA, which seeks Basque's separation from Spain, is regarded as a terrorist organization by Spain, the United States and the European Union due to its numerous bomb attacks.

The Spanish government initially blamed the ETA for the March 11 Madrid bombings that claimed more than 190 lives. But the group has denied any role in the attack.

Source: Xinhua>