Spanish PM apologises for handling of Prestige disaster

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has apologised for his government's handling of the Prestige oil tanker disaster.

Prime Minister Aznar made the statement during his first visit to the stricken northwest coast.

Hundreds of kilometres of coastline have been devastated by heavy fuel oil leaking from the Prestige tanker, which sank last month.

Mr Aznar said his government takes responsibility for failing to assist those who were involved in the clean-up operation.

Several hundred angry protesters, some waving tar-stained images of Aznar daubed with swastikas, had earlier scuffled with police in the regional capital of La Coruna.

They were protesting against what they say has been the government's inadequate response to the oil slick from the oil tanker Prestige.

This is Spain's biggest ever environmental disaster.