The 15 British naval personnel detained by Iran for two weeks are expected to arrive in London shortly aboard a commercial flight from Tehran.

Their release followed an announcement yesterday from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He said he was setting them free as a gift to Britain to mark the birthday of the prophet Muhammad and the Easter holiday. Iran maintained they were trespassing. The British government said they were in Iraqi waters. Jane Pill reports from Heathrow airport.

About 15 minutes before BA flight 6634 from Tehran was due to land, two Royal Navy seeking helicopters touch down on the tarmac here at Heathrow's Terminal Four. The sailors and marines, who were given the whole business class section of the plane away from other passengers, are due to be flown by helicopters straight to a Royal Marines base in Devon. There they will be debriefed, have medical checkups and be reunited with their families.

posted on 2007-04-11 15:13 Greeplanet 阅读(174) 评论(0)  编辑  收藏 网摘收藏