Madrid - When Txeroki, the suspected military leader of the militant Basque separatist group ETA, was captured in France on Monday, Spanish politicians hailed the arrest as yet another step towards the unavoidable defeat of separatist violence.

Yet while ETA has been seriously weakened by constant police crackdowns, it has always found new leaders and rebuilt its infrastructure, analysts pointed out.

Madrid, Paris - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Monday hailed the arrest of the suspected military leader of the militant Basque separatist group ETA as a "determining" blow to the group, "which is weaker today."

Mikel Garikoitz Aspiazu Rubina, known by his alias Txeroki, was "directly responsible for some of the latest killings" by ETA, Zapatero said.

Txeroki was arrested at 3:30 am with a woman near the Cauterets ski resort 30 kilometres from Lourdes in the Pyrenees in a coordinated operation between French and Spanish security forces.

The suspects were asleep when police broke into their flat, Spanish media reported. Both were armed.

London - A leading convicted member of the militant Basque separatist group ETA wanted by Spain appeared in court in Northern Ireland Monday for an extradition hearing.

Ignacio de Juana Chaos, 53, arrived at the court in Belfast, flanked by his lawyer and cheered by flag-waving supporters.

Villarreal, Spain - Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has won applause by calling up young strikers Fernando Llorente and Juan Mata for Wednesday's friendly against Chile.

Llorente, 23, is the tall and angular centre-forward for struggling Athletic Bilbao, strong in the air though not a natural goalscorer.

Mata, 20, in contrast, is small and unimposing, but has good movement and a lethal left foot.

His goals helped Valencia win the King's Cup last season, and he started this season like a house on fire.

Madrid  - The alleged military head of the militant Basque separatist group ETA has been arrested in southern France by French and Spanish police, Spanish media reported Monday.

Mikel Garkoitz Asiazu Rubina, known by his alias Txeroki, was arrested with a woman at Cauterets ski resort near Lourdes in the Pyrenees in an coordinated operation between French and Spanish security forces, newspaper El Mundo reported. Both were armed.

Madrid  - A Saturday night of surprises in Spain saw defeats for Real Madrid and Valencia.

Real crashed 1-0 in Valladolid, a defeat which could call for the sacking of embattled coach Bernd Schuster.

Later on Saturday, Valencia went down 3-2 in Mestalla to Sporting Gijon, their second successive home defeat.

These results leave Real and Valencia in joint third place, together on 23 points.