Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has strongly ruled out granting greater self-rule to the Basque region - only days after the province's governor called for an early referendum on the issue.

Mr Aznar insisted that no part of the Spanish state would be able to break away and create what he called an "illegal regime".

There is not going to be any room for breaking away. No-one is going to impose an illegal regime

Jose Maria Aznar

On Friday, Basque regional leader Juan Jose Ibarretxe suggested a vote within a year on sharing sovereignty with Spain over three Basque provinces, creating a "state of free association".

Mr Aznar's government has adopted a tough stance against Basque nationalism. It is attempting to permanently ban the suspended political party Batasuna, which it accuses of having links with banned militant separatist group ETA.

'No breaking away'

The Basque region has limited autonomy and its own parliament, and Mr Aznar insists that no further concessions will be granted.

"There is not going to be any room for breaking away. No-one is going to impose an illegal regime," Mr Aznar said, addressing his centre-right Popular Party.

Thousands of Basques want greater self-rule

"Nobody is going to be allowed to take it upon themselves to choose which laws they will obey and which they won't."

He said that the priority should be defeating ETA - accusing Mr Ibarretxe's party of always finding other priorities.

Last week's controversial suggestions from Mr Ibarretxe envisaged plans being drawn up for a "new pact for co-existence", which would then be put to the vote.

He said the Basque region's two million residents had the right to decide their own future.

Preparatory talks would begin soon with other groups in the Basque parliament, he said, making no mention of involving the Spanish Government.

But the government insists that the plan would violate the rights of non-Basques, who make up about half the population.

'Fanatics'

"The aim is the imposition of an exclusive nationalist regime, based on silence forced on dissidents," he said.

"Spanish society is not going to be drawn into any crisis by the defiance of a few fanatics."

Spain has 17 semi-autonomous regions, which are granted power over a number of key policy areas. Defence and foreign affairs remain in the hands of the national government.

Batasuna took 10% of the vote in the last Basque regional elections, held in 2001.