Bush repeats support for peaceful settlement of Britain-Iran crisis

U.S. President George W. Bush reiterated here Tuesday that he supported British efforts to resolve peacefully the standoff over the capture of 15 British sailors.

"The seizure of the sailors is indefensible by the Iranians," Bush told reporters. "I support the (Tony) Blair government's attempts to solve this issue peacefully, so we're in close consultation with the British government."

"I also strongly support the prime minister's declaration that there should be no quid pro quos when it comes to the hostages," Bush said.

Bush slammed on Saturday Iran's detention of 15 British sailors as an "inexcusable behavior."

"It's a serious issue because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi waters," Bush said, urging Iran to release "unconditionally" the British sailors.

On March 23, 15 British naval personnel were seized by Iranian forces when they were patrolling off the Iraqi borders.

Iran has insisted that the British boats illegally entered its territorial waters. But Britain said its soldiers were in Iraqi territorial waters.

Source: Xinhua