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Iran 'frees five' UK embassy staff Iran 'frees five' from UK embassy
(10 minutes later)
Five of the local staff at the British embassy detained in Tehran have been released, Iranian officials say.Five of the local staff at the British embassy detained in Tehran have been released, Iranian officials say.
Iran's media earlier said Iranian staff at the British mission were held over their alleged role in protests against disputed presidential elections. Iran's media earlier said several Iranian staff at the UK mission were held over their role in protests against a disputed presidential poll.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband dismissed the allegations as baseless. It is unclear how many embassy staff are still being held. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has dismissed the Tehran's allegations as baseless.
Separately, Iran's top legislative body began a partial recount of the poll - a move rejected by defeated opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. Separately, Iran's top legislative body began a partial recount of June's poll.
"Eight people were arrested. Five were freed and three are still being interrogated," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said at a news conference on Monday."Eight people were arrested. Five were freed and three are still being interrogated," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said at a news conference on Monday.
Iran's state television Press TV earlier reported that there had been a total of nine arrests.Iran's state television Press TV earlier reported that there had been a total of nine arrests.
In a separate development, Iran's state TV said the recount had started in the capital Tehran as well as in the country's provinces. Despite the reported releases, the fact that some employees are still being held means the issue remains a serious problem for the UK, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Tehran says.
On Sunday, the European Union warned Iran that "harassment or intimidation" of embassy staff would be met with a "strong and collective" response.
In a separate development, Iran's state TV said the recount had started on Monday in the capital Tehran as well as in the country's provinces.
Iran's Guardian Council has offered to recount a random 10% of the votes from the 12 June election.Iran's Guardian Council has offered to recount a random 10% of the votes from the 12 June election.
The process was expected to be completed later on Monday and the result would be announced shortly afterwards, al-Alam television said.The process was expected to be completed later on Monday and the result would be announced shortly afterwards, al-Alam television said.
But Mr Mousavi insists the poll was rigged and therefore should be annulled.But Mr Mousavi insists the poll was rigged and therefore should be annulled.
Current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the poll's winner - a move that triggered mass street protests.Current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the poll's winner - a move that triggered mass street protests.