Spanish police defuse twin ETA bombs

"It was an attempt at a serious attack," said Basque government justice minister Joseba Azkarraga, adding that he had no doubt it was the work of ETA.

The failed attack follows a car bombing of a Basque Socialist politician`s bodyguard in October, in which he escaped with only minor injuries.

An ETA car bomb packed with 61 kg of explosive failed to explode near a Defence Ministry office in the northern Spanish city of Logrono in September.

ETA and its supporters have been hit by a series of arrests this year and Spain`s government say the group has been weakened since failed peace talks last year.