A foreign ministry spokesman said the Italian Navy had been alerted.

"We are against any form of dual recognition," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesman earlier reported the killings but said eight and not 11 soldiers died.

A foreign ministry spokesman said he hoped that a reaction to the overnight announcement would be forthcoming later Friday morning.

Israel's foreign ministry spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the case, which has grabbed headlines in the Jewish state.

Stefan von Below, a foreign ministry spokesman, said the woman "was seriously wounded and has been taken to hospital."

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman urged those countries to offer a "more balanced" proposal.

A foreign ministry spokesman in Athens said Greece had launched an investigation.

Another foreign ministry spokesman later said the scientist would make a stopover in Qatar.

India's foreign ministry spokesman expressed outrage and anger felt in the country.