Tens of thousands of Catalans marched on Saturday in Barcelona for the release of separatist leaders held over their role in the region's secession bid and the return of those who fled abroad into self-exile.

Catalonia's pro-independence president Quim Torra took part in the march, a day after he met Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez.

Both men promised to try to ease tensions, even though their positions on Catalan independence remain at odds.