BASQUES digesting the apparent end of separatist group ETA’s armed campaign are taking it with quiet, careful relief.

Spain has ruled out talks with the Basque separatist group Eta even as it welcomed an end to four decades of bombings and shootings following the group’s announcement it was laying down arms.

Thousands of people have spent the night outdoors in the south-eastern Spanish city of Lorca in fear of further tremors after Spain’s most destructive earthquakes in 50 years killed eight people and injured dozens more.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has announced he will not seek a third term in office at general elections in 2012.

Spain’s defence minister says she will consider sending more troops to Afghanistan amid a surge in insurgent attacks.