17:27 Iran's president grants pardons to detained British troops
The president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has granted pardons to 15 British marines, detained, as Iran claimed, for entering the Iranian territorial waters. "The Iranian people wish that this crew of sailors be lightened by the mercy of Allah. We decided to pardon them and make this gift to them", Iran's President said on Wednesday at a news conference broadcast lives by the local television. He added that "it would be right from Islam's point of view".
According to Ahmadinejad, "the British government lacks courage to tell to their nation that their troops violated the Iranian border". He reminded that there was one woman among 15 marines and navy sailors detained on March 23 in the Iranian waters.
London and Bagdad said the British marines were detained in the Iraqi waters. Ahmadinejad also noted that Iran wished to have friendly relations with all the countries, especially the United States, reports Interfax news agency.
According to Ahmadinejad, "the British government lacks courage to tell to their nation that their troops violated the Iranian border". He reminded that there was one woman among 15 marines and navy sailors detained on March 23 in the Iranian waters.
London and Bagdad said the British marines were detained in the Iraqi waters. Ahmadinejad also noted that Iran wished to have friendly relations with all the countries, especially the United States, reports Interfax news agency.
