Catalonia: Spain ultimatum over independence push passes

A final deadline for Catalonia to drop a secession bid has passed, with Spain warning it will suspend the region's autonomy.

Catalonia's leader Carles Puigdemont was given until 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) to clarify his position.

After a referendum on 1 October, he signed an independence declaration but then suspended it, asking for dialogue.

Reports suggest he will press ahead on independence if Madrid moves to take direct control.

There are fears that this may lead to civil unrest in Catalonia.

Article 155 of Spain's 1978 constitution, which cemented democratic rule after the death of dictator General Franco three years earlier, allows Madrid to impose direct rule in a crisis but it has never been invoked.

In the lead-up to the deadline, there have been mass protests over the detentionof two leaders of the separatist movement.