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26/03/2007
Seized British Naval personnel are 'fit and well'
Fifteen Royal Navy personnel captured by Iranian forces on Friday are "fit and well", the Foreign Office has confirmed.
It is understood that British ambassador to Iran, Geoffrey Adams, was given the assurance by officials from Iran's foreign ministry, during a meeting on Monday morning.
However, no further details about the Britons has been released.
Iran said that they could be charged with illegally entering Iranian waters, although both the UK and Iraq have said that they were in Iraqi waters at the time they were seized.
The Britons - eight sailors and seven marines, including one woman - were taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when they were detained by an Iranian naval force.
Iran accused the personnel of the HMS Cornwall of being in Iranian waters illegally.
Both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett have insisted that the vessel was in Iraqi waters and have demanded the release of the personnel.
On Sunday, Mr Blair described the detention of the service personnel as "unjustified and wrong".
On the same day, Mr Adams met with officials in Tehran but failed to find out where the Britons were being held or gain consular access to them.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has also called for the Britons to be released, as has Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who insisted that the Britons were in Iraqi waters when they were captured.
(KMcA/SP)
It is understood that British ambassador to Iran, Geoffrey Adams, was given the assurance by officials from Iran's foreign ministry, during a meeting on Monday morning.
However, no further details about the Britons has been released.
Iran said that they could be charged with illegally entering Iranian waters, although both the UK and Iraq have said that they were in Iraqi waters at the time they were seized.
The Britons - eight sailors and seven marines, including one woman - were taking part in a routine operation in the Shatt Al Arab waterway when they were detained by an Iranian naval force.
Iran accused the personnel of the HMS Cornwall of being in Iranian waters illegally.
Both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett have insisted that the vessel was in Iraqi waters and have demanded the release of the personnel.
On Sunday, Mr Blair described the detention of the service personnel as "unjustified and wrong".
On the same day, Mr Adams met with officials in Tehran but failed to find out where the Britons were being held or gain consular access to them.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has also called for the Britons to be released, as has Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who insisted that the Britons were in Iraqi waters when they were captured.
(KMcA/SP)
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27 March 2007
Blair warning for Iran over captured Britons
Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned Iran that a "different phase" in efforts to win the release of fifteen British military personnel captured by Iranian forces will be entered into if diplomatic efforts fail.
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30 March 2007
Second sailor 'apology' screened by Iran
Footage has been broadcast on Iranian television showing a second member of the captured Royal Navy crew apologising for "trespassing" in Iranian waters. The crewman, who introduced himself as Nathan Thomas Summers, said that the Britons had entered into Iranian waters without permission and apologised to the Iranian people.
Second sailor 'apology' screened by Iran
Footage has been broadcast on Iranian television showing a second member of the captured Royal Navy crew apologising for "trespassing" in Iranian waters. The crewman, who introduced himself as Nathan Thomas Summers, said that the Britons had entered into Iranian waters without permission and apologised to the Iranian people.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
