Iran Frees British Sailors

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_britain

BY NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the release of 15 captive British soldiers and sailors Wednesday in what he called an Easter gift to the British people.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said the Britons had been released, added that he bore "no ill will" toward the Iranian people.

As of 9 p.m. local time in Tehran, however, the Britons had not arrived at the British Embassy.

Alex Pinfield, first secretary of embassy in Tehran, said it's not clear when they will be handed over or where they are going to spend the night. He indicated the British "are still discussing the Iranian case with the Iranian foreign ministry."

Iranian state television showed the 14 men and one woman meeting with Ahmadinejad outside the presidential palace. They were seized while on patrol in the northern Persian gulf on March 23, would leave Iran on Thursday.

Ahmadinejad's surprise announcement came at a news conference shortly after he pinned a medal on the chest of the Iranian coast guard commander who intercepted the sailors and marines.

"On the occasion of the birthday of the great prophet (Muhammad) ... and for the occasion of the passing of Christ, I say the Islamic Republic government and the Iranian people — with all powers and legal right to put the soldiers on trial — forgave those 15," he said, referring to the Muslim prophet's birthday on March 30 and the Easter holiday.

"This pardon is a gift to the British people," he said.

The release ends a 13-day standoff between London and Tehran that was sparked when the crew was seized as it searched for smugglers off the Iraqi coast. Britain denied Iranian claims the crew had entered Iranian waters.
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