Spanish gov't refuses to make evaluations on ETA disarmament

The Spanish government refused to make any evaluations on ETA disarmament, according to a communique released on Saturday.

"The government will not make any evaluations on the armament handed over today by ETA," says the communique, adding that it will wait for the analysis on the arms by the authorities and French judges.

ETA handed over 120 firearms, 3 tons of explosives and thousands of detonators and bullets as a part of the separatist group's disarmament process.

"The only logical response to this situation is to announce its definitive dissolution, ask for the victims' forgiveness and disappear," said the government.

President of the Basque government Inigo Urkullu said the disarmament was an "essential step" towards ETA's disappearance, highlighting that the path continues towards a "normal coexistence".

Urkullu said that all victims were part of the success and highlighted that his government will go on working for peace.

The disarmament process took place in French city of Bayonne Saturday morning with the support of 172 observers. The weapons handed are from eight different hiding places, whose locations were reported by ETA to the French authorities.

ETA has fought for the independence of Spain's northern Basque region for around 50 years, leaving 829 people dead. The group announced a permanent ceasefire in 2011 and has not committed any attack in the past five and a half years. Endit