Madrid suspects in court

MADRID - Five men arrested in connection with Madrid's suspected al Qaeda bombings will appear in court today as Spain hunts for links between the men and Islamic militants abroad.

Three Moroccans and two Indians face a closed-door preliminary hearing at what the Government says is a "decisive phase" in the inquiry into western Europe's worst guerrilla attack, which killed 201 and injured more than 1750 a week ago.

The blasts helped to provoke a major election upset, ushering in a Socialist leader who has vowed to stand by a pledge to pull Spain's troops from Iraq despite United States calls to stay the course.

Incoming Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero branded a "fiasco" the occupation of Iraq, which was backed by outgoing Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar despite huge public opposition.

Zapatero's critics say Spain's withdrawal would hand victory to the attackers, and a new letter signed by a group that has claimed responsibility for the bombs will give critics fresh ammunition.

"Praise be to God who gave us this victory in the conquest of Madrid ... where one of the pillars of the axis of Crusader evil was destroyed," said a statement signed by the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, which claims links to al Qaeda.

The letter, sent to a pan-Arab newspaper yesterday, said the group was calling a European truce until it knew Zapatero's plans over Iraq.

Police are hunting some 20 Moroccans, who may also be linked to last May's Casablanca attack in which 45 people died.

The five arrested suspects are expected to return to jail after court. An Algerian man picked up in the Basque city of San Sebastian is also being held.

- REUTERS