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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Protests at UK's Tehran embassy | Protests at UK's Tehran embassy |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Iranian students have thrown firecrackers and rocks into the British embassy compound during a protest in the capital Tehran. | Iranian students have thrown firecrackers and rocks into the British embassy compound during a protest in the capital Tehran. |
| About 200 people demonstrated against what they say was the illegal entry into Iranian waters of 15 UK Royal Navy personnel captured nine days ago. | |
| BBC correspondent Francis Harrison said the students were hardliners who were urging Iran not to compromise. | BBC correspondent Francis Harrison said the students were hardliners who were urging Iran not to compromise. |
| The Foreign Office said there had been no damage and no-one had been hurt. | |
| Demands | |
| The BBC's correspondent, who was outside the embassy when the missiles were thrown, said the demonstrators were hardline Islamist students from Tehran University. | The BBC's correspondent, who was outside the embassy when the missiles were thrown, said the demonstrators were hardline Islamist students from Tehran University. |
| The protesters, whose demonstration was allowed by the Iranian government, were chanting "death to Britain" and calling for the deportation of the British ambassador, she said. | |
| UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters | |
| "They were making speeches, they were calling for the British sailors to be put on trial, for the British government to apologise," she said. | "They were making speeches, they were calling for the British sailors to be put on trial, for the British government to apologise," she said. |
| Riot police fired pepper spray into the crowd to prevent protesters surging forward and scaffolding had been erected against the front of the embassy to prevent people trying to get inside, she added. | |
| Condemnation | |
| Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew was in its waters when seized on 23 March and is demanding their "immediate" return. | Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew was in its waters when seized on 23 March and is demanding their "immediate" return. |
| President George W Bush earlier condemned Iran's "inexcusable behaviour" after the capture of the UK personnel and said he would "strongly support" the British government over the crisis. | President George W Bush earlier condemned Iran's "inexcusable behaviour" after the capture of the UK personnel and said he would "strongly support" the British government over the crisis. |
| IRANIAN VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Royal Navy crew stray 0.5km inside Iranian waters 2 Iran gives set of co-ordinates to back up their claims 3 According to seized GPS equipment, the Royal Navy crew had previously entered Iranian waters at several other points 4 Iran informs Britain of the position where the crew were seized, inside Iranian waters class="" href="/1/hi/world/6502805.stm">Both versions in more detail | |
| His calls were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said Britain had the "full solidarity of the European Union". | His calls were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said Britain had the "full solidarity of the European Union". |
| Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran was waiting for a "change in attitude" from the UK and a "moderate approach" to its requests. | Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran was waiting for a "change in attitude" from the UK and a "moderate approach" to its requests. |
| He confirmed the receipt of a note from the British embassy about the military personnel, Iranian television reported. | He confirmed the receipt of a note from the British embassy about the military personnel, Iranian television reported. |
| "This note contains many points which will be considered," he said. "However, we are waiting for a change in the attitude of the British and a moderate approach by this country towards Iran's legal requests. " | "This note contains many points which will be considered," he said. "However, we are waiting for a change in the attitude of the British and a moderate approach by this country towards Iran's legal requests. " |
| HAVE YOUR SAY They will have to be released by diplomatic means and I believe that this will happen Neil Whittaker, Lancashire, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY They will have to be released by diplomatic means and I believe that this will happen Neil Whittaker, Lancashire, UK Send us your comments |
| Former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days in Beirut before being released in November 1991, has offered to travel to Iran to negotiate with those holding the Britons. | Former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days in Beirut before being released in November 1991, has offered to travel to Iran to negotiate with those holding the Britons. |
| Mr Waite said threatening the Iranian government was counterproductive and said he would be able to "cut through some of the rhetoric". | Mr Waite said threatening the Iranian government was counterproductive and said he would be able to "cut through some of the rhetoric". |
| The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized by Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf. | The Britons, based on HMS Cornwall, were seized by Revolutionary Guards as they returned from searching a vessel in the northern Gulf. |