Spain offers troops to US campaign

The Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, has said Madrid is ready to offer troops to support the American campaign against Afghanistan.

Speaking during a special session of the Spanish parliament, Mr Aznar described the campaign as legitimate defence against terrorism, to which Spain was actively committed.

Correspondents say Mr Aznar was in part referring to Madrid's battle against the Basque separatist group, ETA, which it wants included in the list of terrorist organisations whose assets can be frozen.

Germany and France have also expressed willingness to offer military support to the United States, while Britain has taken part in the campaign.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service