MADRID, Nov 17, 2007 (AFP) - Heavy security was in place in Madrid on Saturday to prevent clashes between far-right militants and leftists ahead of the anniversary of dictator General Francisco Franco's death, police said.

The 700-strong police deployment came after clashes on November 11 between leftists and neo-Nazis in the capital that resulted in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old boy.

Authorities feared his death could result in reprisals and were also concerned about violence related to the anniversary itself.

MADRID, Aug 31, 2007 (AFP) - The family of Spain's late dictator Francisco Franco have refused to allow regional government inspectors to examine the state of his former summer castle, local authorities said Friday.

The historical Pazo de Meiras castle, built in 1893 in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, was given to the dictator -- who died in 1975 -- by his own regime in 1938.