Catalonia's deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Tuesday his region's independence drive should "slow down" to avoid unrest as Madrid imposes direct rule on Catalonia, a move opposed by many.

"We can't build a republic for all on violence," he told reporters in Brussels, adding that if that meant "slowing down the development of the republic, then we must consider that a reasonable price to pay".

Source: AFP