Spanish officials claim to have thwarted Madrid attack

Officials in Spain claimed today that they have thwarted a planned attack on Latin American and European leaders due to meet in Madrid on Friday.

Regional governor Francisco Javier Ansuategui said two suspected members of ETA, who were arrested in Madrid yesterday, had stashed nearly 440lbs of explosives, along with detonators, automatic weapons and false licence plates in an apartment in the centre of the capital.

The pair were arrested following the discovery of an 88lb car bomb on the outskirts of Madrid yesterday afternoon.

A third suspect managed to escape and police have vowed to track him down.