Spain is in mourning for 198 people killed in Thursday's terrorist attacks on the country's trains, but Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar says Sunday's elections will go ahead as normal. The government continues to hold Basque terrorists as prime suspects behind the bombings, but says it is also investigating possible involvement by the al-Qaida terrorist network.
Millions of people across Spain are expected to join in anti-terrorism rallies, the first of three days of mourning for the victims of Thursday's bombings. Political campaigning has been suspended, but Prime Minister Aznar says Sunday's elections will be held as scheduled.
Almost 200 people died and more than 1400 were injured in Spain's worst terrorist attack. At least 10 bombs exploding in commuter trains approaching three Madrid rail stations in an orchestrated wave of terror killed or maimed - mostly young people going to school and workers commuting to their offices in Spain's capital.
The Spanish government was quick to blame the Basque separatists from the militant ETA group for the massacre, but when evidence of potential involvement by an Islamist terror group began to emerge, said other lines of investigation are open.
The banned political wing of ETA, Batsuna, denied responsibility for the bombings.
Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said in a televised statement, all leads will be pursued to track down the terrorists and bring them to justice.
Spain stood still at noon for a minute of silence in memory of those who died in the attacks. Flags on government buildings fly at half mast. Dignitaries and heads of government, including French and Italian prime ministers, are coming to Madrid to take part in the mass rally.
While campaigning for Sunday's parliamentary elections has been suspended, the balloting will go ahead on schedule.
