Sweden backs British over Iran's "kidnapping"

Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt has added his voice to those condemning Iran's seizure of 15 British sailors and marines, local media reported on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Bremen, German, Bildt gave strong support to the position taken by the British.

"It's perfectly obvious that what Iran is doing amounts to kidnapping -- that cannot be accepted," said Bildt, reported Svenska Dagbladet.

"We are prepared to take further measures if this is not resolved," said Carl Bildt, although he did not indicate what those measures might be.

Tehran claims that the British were in Iranian waters when they were captured over a week ago, a charge that Britain strongly denies.

Source: Xinhua