Basque Rebels call permanent ceasefire

Basque Separatist group ETA have declared a permanent ceasefire today.

The group, which has waged a violent 40 year campaign for Basque Independence has declared that this truce will be "internationally verifible", indicating that it may be willing to put it's arsenal beyond use. Late last year, supporters of the militant group announced the creation of a new political party which would oppose violence.

Spanish government officials responded to the statement saying that "while it was not bad news" it did not go far enough. The Spanish government wants ETA to declare a permanent end to it's armed campaign.