Turkey waiting for response on possibility of its diplomats visiting captive British crew

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday he was waiting for a response from Tehran on the possibility of Turkish diplomats visiting the 15 British sailors and m ines detained by Iran.

Erdogan told reporters he had requested permission for Turkish diplomats to meet with the British crew during discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki at an Arab summit meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday.

Mottaki initially said it would not be possible because of an ongoing investigation, but on Erdogan's insistence, said he would see if it would be possible, the Turkish prime minister told reporters.

"We are waiting for a response from Iran," Erdogan said. "We will try to contact them today."