French police arrested three suspected members of the Spanish Basque separatist organization ETA in the Hautes-Pyrenees yesterday, and one of them was identified as the new leader of ETA's military group, Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said.

These three men, all armed, were captured around 6 pm (1700 GMT) near Bagneres-de-Bigorre in the Hautes-Pyrenees, southwestern France. One of them were found to be Aitziol Iriondo, nicknamed "Balak." They have been transferred to Bayonne.

Alliot-Marie said "Balak" appeared to be the new head of ETA's military group after "Texeroki" Garikoitz Aspiazu Rubina was arrested on Nov. 17. The minister also expressed her great satisfaction in a statement, saying the new arrest "demonstrate once again the commitment of French police in the fight against Basque terrorism."

According to Spanish Minister of Interior Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, "Balak" could be responsible for the murder of two Spanish policemen in Capbreton, France in December 2007.