Ousted Catalonia leader Puigdemont ‘not seeking asylum’

Deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said his party will stand in a December 21 snap poll called by the central government in Madrid for Catalonia.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Puigdemont said he will respect the outcome of the election, but urged Spanish authorities to do the same.

The sacked regional president arrived at Brussels Press Club for a news conference on Tuesday, amid speculation he and his ministers would seek political asylum in Belgium, which he said was not their intent.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Simmons reports from Barcelona.