Bush says Iran capture of British sailors inexcusable

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Saturday that Iran's detention of 15 British sailors was "inexcusable" and that Tehran must release them immediately.

"The British hostage issue is serious because the Iranians took these people out of Iraqi water. It's inexcusable behaviour. I strongly support the Blair government's attempts to resolve this peacefully," he said, referring to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

At a news conference at the Camp David presidential retreat with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Bush was pressed on whether he would consider swapping Iranians held in Iraq for the British sailors. He rejected that idea.

"I support the prime minister when he made it clear there were no quid pro quos. The Iranians must give back the hostages. They're innocent," Bush said.