Sarkozy backs Britain over detained sailors

French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his solidarity with Britain today over its sailors detained by Iran.

He called on Tehran to release the captives immediately.

Mr Sarkozy, among the top contenders for the elections that begin in three weeks, said he believed that the British crew of 15 was captured while patrolling Iraqi – not Iranian – waters.

“Holding the British sailors as prisoners is unacceptable,” said Sarkozy at a Paris news conference to detail his platform.

“I condemn it with the greatest strength. We are in solidarity with the British democracy,” he said.

His remarks were in line with President Jacques Chirac’s condemnation of Iran, but less stern than those of the Socialist candidate, Segolene Royal. She suggested that European sanctions be imposed against Iran for its seizure of British sailors and marines.

Iran claims the crew was caught inside its territorial waters, something Britain categorically denies.