Barcelona's mayor has said the Catalan referendum is not enough for the region to declare independence from Spain.

Ada Colau said the results of the vote "can't be a guarantee to proclaim independence but are the opportunity to build dialogue and international mediation."

She appealed to Spain's prime minister and Catalonia's political leader to "decrease tension on both sides", adding that "now is the time to build bridges."

The Catalan parliament could declare independence from Spain on Tuesday evening, claiming legitimacy from the 'yes' vote in the 1st October referendum.

The government in Madrid has declared the vote illegal and unconstitutional.

Ms Colau also urged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to pull out the extra police that have been drafted in to the northeast region as a "gesture of state responsibility."

Industrial response

As many in Spain await what would be a major escalation in the constitutional crisis, more firms have said they are pulling out of the region.

Highway management company Abertis and telecoms company Cellnex have joined a growing list of companies moving their headquarters elsewhere.

Both are part of Spain's Ibex 35 index of top listed companies.

Abertis and Cellnex said they were pulling out for as long as there is uncertainty about the region's future.

They join a slew of companies that are moving, including property group Inmobiliaria Colonial, Banco Sabadell, CaixaBank and energy firm Gas Natural.

Publishing house Grupo Planeta also warned it will move to Madrid if independence is declared.

Tough response

Spain's deputy prime minister earlier warned of a tough response if Catalonia's political leader, Carlos Puigdemont, decides to announce a split from Spain.

Soraya Saenz de Santamaria told COPE radio that "if they declare independence, there will be decisions to restore the law and democracy."

He added: "I'm calling on the sensible people in the Catalan government... don't jump off the edge because you'll take the people with you."

The referendum was marred by violence with approximately 900 people injured as police attempted to prevent voters from casting their ballots.

Catalonia's government said that of the 2.2 million people who were able to vote - two million voted for independence.

The vote was held without regular electoral lists or observers - and polls indicate Catalans are split on the prospect of independence.

Over the weekend thousands of people for and against independence took to the streets, showing how divided the region is.

Divorce process

The region's referendum law states that a declaration would start a six-month process of divorce talks with Spain and regional elections.

Mr Puigdemont appeared steadfast on Sunday, saying a 'yes' vote necessitated an independence declaration.

"We will apply what the law says," he told TV3.

Mr Rajoy has not ruled out the "nuclear option" of removing the Catalan government and calling fresh regional elections.

Pedro Sanchez, leader of Spain's main opposition party, is also backing the government's response if an independence declaration is made.

Mr Sanchez said "a unilateral declaration of independence doesn't have a place in a state ruled by law."

He told reporters in Barcelona: "The same way that we are offering our hand for a dialogue, we will also support the state's response if coexistence among Spaniards is broken unilaterally."