France holds three 'Eta suspects'

French police have arrested several top Eta suspects in the past year

French police have arrested three suspected Basque separatist militants in an Alpine ski resort, officials say.

The men were reportedly armed and had false identity papers. Police arrested them in a raid on an apartment in Le Corbier Villarembert on Wednesday.

One suspect, named as Alberto Machain Beraza, is thought to be linked to recent Eta bombings, including an attack in Majorca, Spanish media say.

Eta has been blamed for more than 820 deaths during its separatist campaign.

Eta claimed responsibility for the bombings in Spain in July, carried out just ahead of the 50th anniversary of the group's founding.

More than 40 people were injured by a bomb blast in Burgos, northern Spain, then two Civil Guards were killed by a car bomb on the holiday island of Majorca.

The militant group is fighting for the creation of an independent Basque homeland.

The other two suspects arrested at the resort in France's Savoie region were Aitzol Etxaburu and Andoni Sarasola, according to Spanish security sources quoted by the Efe news agency.

They are suspected of belonging to Eta's military wing, responsible for providing arms and explosives for attacks in Spain.

Police reportedly burst in while they were asleep and they offered no resistance.

Alberto Machain Beraza was among six Eta suspects on a wanted list released by the Spanish government after the July bombings.