Tehran, April 4
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad freed 15 British sailors and marines on Wednesday, offering Britain a ‘gift’ in a surprise announcement that ended a 13-day crisis which rattled world financial markets.
Ahmadinejad told a news conference broadcast round the world
he was willing to forgive the sailors, seized off the Shatt al-Arab waterway on March 23, even though Britain was not "brave enough" to admit it had made a mistake and they had strayed into Iranian territory.
"Under the influence of the Muslim Prophet, (Iran) forgives
these 15 people and gives their freedom to the British people as a gift," Ahmadinejad said towards the end of the 90-minute news
conference.
Speaking later in Downing Street, the British Prime Minister
Tony Blair welcomed the sailors' release and said Britain bore the Iranian people no ill will.
"Throughout we have taken a measured approach, firm but calm, not negotiating but not confronting either," he told reporters.
“To the Iranian people I would simply say this: we bear you
no ill will... The disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue."
The captives were expected to be taken to the British embassy in Tehran and an Iranian official source said they would leave the capital by plane on Thursday.
— Reuters
