The government of the Basque region in Spain is holding its first meeting since elections last October gave power to a pro-independence coalition.

A new Basque president is being chosen, who will lead moves to consolidate the ceasefire declared by the separatist group, ETA, last September.

He's expected to be Juan Jose Ibarretxe of the Basque Nationalist Party after ETA said it would support him.

A BBC Correspondent in Madrid says no progress has been reported so far in secret talks between ETA and the government, and the start of formal talks still seems some way off.