Millions march against terror

Spain's national mourning over the Madrid train bombs which killed 199 people was continuing as separatist group ETA remained the prime suspect in the terrorist manhunt.

Millions of people were on the streets on Friday across Spain's major cities to mourn the dead, with European political leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, there to show solidarity.

Prime minister Jose Maria Aznar led a sea of his fellow grieving citizens down Madrid's main boulevard toward Atocha station, one of three bombed in the attacks.

However, confusion reigns over who was culpable for planting the ten bombs which ripped through trains and stations in rush-hour, leaving a further 1,400 injured.

ETA, via anonymous calls made to a newspaper and TV station in the Basque region, denied that it had any involvement.

But the London-based Arabic language Al Quds newspaper said it received an e-mail from the Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri, who claimed its "death squad" had penetrated "one of the pillars of the crusader alliance".

Suspicion of Islamic extremist involvement was further fuelled when Spanish police discovered a van on the outskirts of Madrid with detonators and an Arabic language tape with verses from the Koran.

Spain has been regarded as a potential target for Islamic terrorists because of Mr Aznar's strong support for Britain and America in the war against Iraq.

While the Spanish authorities say all leads are being pursued, its Interior Ministry said ETA remained the "principle suspect".

Although ETA's previous attacks have been on a much smaller scale, the technique of bombs in rucksacks being detonated by mobile phones is one of their hallmarks.

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