MADRID (AP) — The Latest on the remains of Gen. Francisco Franco (all times local):

11:45 a.m.

The Spanish Supreme Court has ruled that the caretaker Socialist government can exhume the remains of former dictator Gen. Francisco Franco. 

Six judges met Tuesday to decide on an appeal by Franco's relatives against the government plan to remove the body from the gigantic Valley of the Fallen mausoleum he built on the outskirts of Madrid and take it to a cemetery elsewhere.

It is the latest development in a decades-old controversy.

Leftist parties and families of many Spanish Civil War victims have long wanted Franco to be removed from the mausoleum, which is a major tourist attraction. Others argue this would open old wounds.

10:30 a.m.

Spanish Supreme Court judges are to meet to rule on appeals against the caretaker Socialist government's plan to exhume the remains of Gen. Francisco Franco from the gigantic Valley of the Fallen mausoleum built by the dictator on the outskirts of Madrid.

The judges' meeting Tuesday on an appeal lodged by Franco's relatives is the latest development in a decades-old controversy.

Leftist parties and families of many Spanish Civil War victims have long wanted Franco to be removed from the mausoleum, which is a major tourist attraction. Others argue this would open old wounds.

A decision is expected Tuesday or soon after.

The Socialists want Franco moved to a cemetery outside Madrid. Franco's family hope that if he is exhumed they can rebury him in central Madrid's Almudena Cathedral.