Mr Zapatero said that the "definitive end" of Eta was required.

Speaking on Spain's Antena 3 television, he said the government would not accept any conditions from Eta.

Its campaign for an independent Basque region has cost more than 800 lives.

Mr Zapatero said Eta must take "more forceful and definitive steps".

He added: "Those who see some element of hope in Eta's announcement need to know that the road ahead is still long, because the only thing that matters is the definitive end of the Eta terrorist group."

Mr Zapatero said there "will be no dialogue" with Eta. "We are not going to allow any trick," he added.

Mr Zapatero said any political party that had not rejected violence would not be able to take part in the local elections in May.

Eta has come under pressure from its political wing, Batasuna, which has been outlawed because of its connections to the group, but wants to stand in the elections.

Earlier, Spain's Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said Eta remained "as arrogant as ever".