Germany summoned the Iranian ambassador to its foreign ministry yesterday to protest that two German journalists held in Iran were not allowed to meet their families over Christmas as promised.

Later yesterday, a spokesman for the ministry said that the Iranian foreign minister was arranging a meeting with between the two journalists and their families.

“Today Foreign Minister Westerwelle spoke several times with his Iranian counterpart, who thereupon met with the members of the families and agreed to a swift meeting in Tabriz. The two families are now on their way to Tabriz,” he said.

The families had travelled to Teheran after Iran repeatedly promised to allow the visit and the German ambassador stayed in the country over the holidays to arrange the meeting.

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