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A journalist from Spanish state broadcaster TVE has apologised after using a Star Wars logo to represent Al-Qaeda.

The channel's daily morning show La Mañana used the logo of the Rebel Alliance, the resistance that fights Darth Vader in the classic films, during a piece about terrorism .

Broadcaster Jota Abril apologised "if he had offended anyone" after the embarrassing gaffe, broadcast to millions of households across Spain.

His tweet was translated as: "This morning I confused a logo in an explanation during the programme.

"My own fault. I am sorry if it offended anyone."

The unfortunate mix-up appears to have stemmed from the fact a record label called Alqaeda Inc uses the Rebel Alliance symbol with Islamic style writing underneath for its logo.

The mistake has perhaps inevitably led to a raft of Star Wars -themed jokes and memes once it was shared on social media.

The Star Wars error was reminiscent of a similar broadcasting gaffe earlier this year, when CNN confused a flag decorated with sex toys for an ISIS banner at London's Gay Pride festival.

While Abril's slip has been met with comedy, Spain is a country on edge after the latest terrorist attack to hit a major European city.

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In its own capital, Madrid, three Moroccans were arrested on suspicion of plotting ‘Charlie Hebdo’ style suicide attacks only a fortnight ago.

The jihadists, linked to Islamic State, were discovered to have Spanish residency, were between the ages of 26 and 29 and boasted “access to weapons” while being described as “ready to attack” by the interior ministry.

Spanish authorities have arrested more than 50 people this year on terrorism offences.