Break away put on hold

CATALAN separatists have signed what they say is a declaration of independence from Spain to cheers and applause in Barcelona.

But Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said he’ll delay implementing it for several weeks to give dialogue a chance.

Spain called an emergency Cabinet meeting but gave little indication it was willing to talk.

Mr Puigdemont said he had accepted “the mandate of the people for Catalonia to become an independent republic” following a banned referendum earlier this month.