BBC News with David Austin

Iranian state television says two young Americans have been sentenced to eight years in prison for

espionage

and illegally entering the country. The men, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, said they'd

stray

ed into Iran by mistake. Their lawyer says he'll submit an appeal. James Reynolds reports.

The verdict has been announced by Iran's state media. Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal have each been sentenced to eight years in prison - three years for illegal entry into Iran and a further five years on the charge of spying for the US government. The two Americans plus their companion Sarah Shourd were detained at the end of July 2009. Their families say that the three were simply hiking on the Iraqi side of the border and if they crossed the unmarked frontier into Iran, they did so

entirely

by accident

.

Libyan rebels are

consolidat

ing their control over the town of Zlitan, 150km east of the capital Tripoli. The rebels have already taken Zawiya, west of Tripoli, and Gharyan, to the south. From Zlitan, Orla Guerin.

Having fought their way into the town, the rebels have been quick to

assert

their control. We found fighters manning checkpoints in the downtown area. There were cheers and victory salutes from families in passing cars. Just 10 days ago, government officials brought journalists from Tripoli to Zlitan on a guided tour, but the regime couldn't hold this strategic town even with heavily-armed elite troops. This is a serious defeat for Colonel Gaddafi and a