The European Union's foreign policy chief said Friday that Iran made a "big mistake" in its handling of the standoff over its seizure of 15 British sailors and marines. Upon his arrival at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Germany, Javier Solana told reporters that Iran "should release the soldiers immediately."

The ministers from the EU's 27 national governments planned to send a "signal of solidarity" with Britain,

said Germany's foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was hosting the meeting. Britain was looking for support from its European partners for finding a peaceful solution. (AP)