Spain puts security forces on maximum alert
Spain, hit by deadly al Qaida-linked bombings last year, put its security forces on maximum alert today following the London attacks, posting army and police units to watch over airports, train stations and shopping centres.
The Interior Ministry said the level of alert had been shifted up to maximum three.
“This level of alert involves the absolute mobilisation of the security forces to keep watch and protect places with large amounts of people as well as strategic sites needed for normal citizen activity,” a ministry statement said.
The ministry said the alert covered shopping centres, transport hubs, sports events and emblematic areas or buildings.
Like Britain, Spain has had firsthand experience with bomb attacks in recent decades. Radicals with suspected links to al-Qaida are blamed for 10 bombs on four commuter trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004 that killed 191 persons and injured more than 1,500.
Spain has also been fighting the armed Basque separatist group Eta since the late 1960s.
In a statement, the government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero condemned today’s blasts and offered to help track down the perpetrators.
“Spain, which has for years suffered the disgrace of terrorism, national and international, offers immediately its unconditional help and full support for Britain to help chase the criminals who perpetrated such a repugnant attack against a city which was celebrating its selection as host of the 2012 Olympic Games,” said the government statement.
Interior Minister Jose Antonio Alonso was said to be trying to arrange a phone conversation for later today with his British counterpart, Home Secretary Charles Clarke.
Alonso met with Spanish police chiefs to discuss the bombings.
Of British authorities, Alonso said: “We’re completely at their disposal for whatever they may need.”
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