A Basque-language newspaper in Spain said Saturday a banned civic support group for the separatist group ETA has disbanded.

The Gara newspaper, an ETA mouthpiece, said the group formed in November of 1999 to act as an organizer for ETA, stirring up street protests and spreading the militants' message.

Spain banned the organization in 2001, although it continued its activities.

ETA has killed more than 800 people in a campaign of bombings and shootings since the late 1960s aimed at forcing the government to allow the creation of an independent Basque homeland.

The armed group declared a cease-fire in January. But the Spanish government rejected it, saying ETA made no pledge to disarm.

Spain, the European Union and the United States regard ETA as a terrorist group.