Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, testifying before a parliamentary commission investigating Spain’s worst terrorist attack, dismissed any link between his surprise election victory last March and the Madrid train bombings three days earlier.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has defended his government’s handling of the Madrid train bombings’ immediate aftermath as he began keenly-awaited testimony today before MPs investigating the massacre.

Spain would consider sending troops back to Iraq if requested by the United Nations, Spanish Defence Minister Jose Bono said.

The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) has welcomed the planned withdrawal of Polish and Honduran troops from Iraq saying it further weakens the US occupation of the country.

Spain’s withdrawal of its troops from Iraq should not harm long-term relations with the United States, Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos said today, adding that the country would honour its international commitments and remain steadfast in the fight against terrorism.

The new Spanish Socialist prime minister today abruptly ordered his troops home from Iraq.

It’s a bit unfair to see the result of the Spanish general election as “giving in” to terrorists (Keith Davies, Irish Examiner letters, March 17).

WORLD leaders dressed in black joined Spanish royalty and families of the 190 victims of Madrid’s train bombings at a state funeral yesterday, honouring those killed in the nation’s worst terrorist attack.

World leaders dressed in black joined Spanish royalty and families of the 190 victims of Madrid’s train bombings at a state funeral today, honouring those killed in the nation’s worst terrorist attack.

Spain’s outgoing prime minister defended his government today for initially blaming Basque separatists for the Madrid train bombings.

European leaders going to tomorrow’s state funeral for victims of the Madrid train bombings will have their first opportunity to meet face-to-face the newly-elected Socialists, and perhaps get a glimmer of Spain’s future foreign policy.

The Basque terror group Eta – originally blamed for the Madrid rail massacre - may be ready to call another ceasefire in hopes of convincing the incoming Socialist government to negotiate more political concessions.

EU leaders appeared increasingly confident today that the EU’s first constitution can be adopted soon despite months of acrimonious debate over how to share out power in the bloc.

Basque separatist group ETA indicated today it will press ahead with its goal of an independent country separate from Spain either by dialogue with the incoming socialist government or renewed attacks.

THE result of the Spanish general election and the fight against terrorism have one thing in common — a wish to defend democracy.

The man who crushed Spain’s pro-war conservatives in a resounding general election victory has vowed to make the fight against terrorism his top priority.

Spaniards went to the polls today in a general election thrown wide open by a reported al-Qaida claim that it staged the Madrid rail bombings to punish the government for supporting the Iraq war.

Traumatised by terrorism, Spaniards today prepared for general elections as a nation in grief, with the ruling party favoured to win and insisting that Basque separatists remain the prime suspect in the rail bombings that killed 199 people.

Millions of Spaniards took to the streets, chanting “Cowards” and “Assassins” in a protest against the Madrid bombings that killed 199 people.

Daily life ground to a halt across Spain today as the grieving nation observed a period of solemn silence to honour the 198 people killed in the Madrid train massacre

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar pledged today to find those responsible for the worst terrorist attack in Spanish history as the nation mourned the 198 who died in the string of train bombings.

Millions of people were expected to turn out on the streets of Spain today in protest at yesterday’s devastating bomb attacks in Madrid which killed 198 people.

A series of bombs hidden in backpacks exploded in quick succession, blowing apart four commuter trains, killing at least 192 people and wounding more than 1,400.

The Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi said tonight it had received a claim of responsibility for the Madrid train bombings issued by The Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri in the name of al Qaida.

The Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has condemned the attacks in Madrid as "mass murder" and he vowed to hunt down the attackers.

Written off in recent months as possibly moribund after a string of arrests and thwarted attacks, the Basque separatist group Eta demonstrated today it’s still capable of spectacular violence.

NEGOTIATIONS on Europe’s first constitution were deadlocked last night as Spain and Poland threatened to veto the document.

Gunmen shot and killed two South Korean workers and wounded two others north of Baghdad, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said.

Guerrillas killed two United States soldiers and wounded a third in an ambush in western Iraq, making November the bloodiest month since the war in the country began on March 20.

Gunmen ambushed a team of Spanish intelligence officers, killing seven agents in a bloody new attack on US allies in Iraq. There were also reports that two Japanese diplomats were ambushed and killed.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder remained defiant today after Germany and France faced down a threat of EU sanctions over their ballooning budget deficits, angering smaller member nations and sparking concern about the euro’s stability.

Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has been chosen to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar as the candidate for the governing conservative Popular Party in next year’s general elections, Aznar’s office said today.

Washington has urged the United Nations to follow its example and lift economic sanctions against Baghdad.

THOUSANDS of anti-war demonstrators crowded the streets near the signing ceremony yesterday, many clashing with police who fired tear gas to keep them away from where the leaders were gathered.

As anti-war protesters rioted in the streets of the city that gave birth to European democracy, the leaders of 25 nations gathered today to sign treaties sweeping away the 20th century’s Iron Curtain divide.

Tens of thousands of protesters denouncing the United States-led war in Iraq today marched to Spanish military bases used by the US to refuel planes and help care for wounded soldiers.

SADDAM HUSSEIN last night warned if Iraq were attacked, it would take the war anywhere in the world "wherever there is sky, land or water".

TODAY is the “moment of truth” for Saddam Hussein and the United Nations, George Bush and Tony Blair warned last night.

Saddam Hussein tonight warned that if Iraq were attackd, it would take the war anywhere in the world "wherever there is sky, land or water".

British Prime Minister Tony Blair today left Downing Street for a “last push” summit with President George Bush in the Azores as Saddam Hussein put Iraq on a war footing.

A war on Iraq without a second resolution would be legal, Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar said today.

On the eve of a summit aimed at rescuing his war resolution from probable UN failure, US President George Bush said today that crucial days lie ahead for countries interested in promoting security and averting tragedy.

White House aides said US President George Bush approved the summit on the Azores and a brief extension of diplomacy out of respect for British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose support for the US president has drawn severe criticism in Britain.