Brown reasserts support over islands

ABU DHABI // Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, stressed that his country did not recognise the Iranian occupation of the islands of Abu Musa and the Lesser and Greater Tunbs during talks with UAE officials, the state news agency, WAM, reported last night. Quoting Jon Wilks, Britain's regional spokesman, the agency said Mr Brown declared support for the UAE's position on the issue and its call to find a solution through diplomacy. The country that holds jurisdiction over these islands would be able to limit sea traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Last night Mr Wilks said: "Our position on this has not changed in 40 years. We support arbitration and we don't recognise the Iranian occupation." During his recent tour of the Gulf region, Mr Brown spoke in Abu Dhabi to offer greater control over the International Monetary Fund if the Gulf states were willing to help inject cash into the global economy. There have been no further developments on those talks, Mr Wilks added.