Last update - 00:00 01/05/2007
Haniyeh: We are working 'quietly' to free BBC reporter
By Haaretz Service and agencies
"We are working quietly but actively on the issue of kidnapped journalist Alan Johnston," Haniyeh told a news conference on Tuesday. "I have authorized somebody from my office to follow up this issue. He is communicating with several sides. I hope this will be fruitful in ending this issue."
Johnston, who was ending a three-year assignment as Gaza reporter for the BBC at the time of his kidnapping on March 12, has been held longer than any of the dozens of journalists and other foreigners kidnapped in recent years. Most were released after a few hours or days. Little has been reported about Johnston's whereabouts or condition.
On Monday, Haniyeh's deputy, Azzam al-Ahmed, said Johnston's captors had called earlier in the day with new demands in exchange for his release.
BBC officials have previously denied that the abductors have made any demands. A dozen journalists and foreign workers have been kidnapped in Gaza in the past 18 months, but most of them were released within hours unharmed. No abductors were ever charged or tried for the kidnappings.
A little known group has claimed to have killed Johnston, but provided no evidence of their claim. Al-Ahmed said Monday the kidnappers said in their most recent phone call that Johnston is in good health.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian security chief said in an interview published Tuesday that Palestinian security forces know the identity of the 44-year old reporter's kidnappers, but are not going to use force to win his release.
Rashid Abu Shbak, who supervises several Palestinian security forces in the West Bank and Gaza, told the Al-Ayyam daily that the volatile situation in the coastal territory didn't permit a rescue raid.
The security forces know the identity of the group that kidnapped Johnston, he said, adding that the British government had asked Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas not to resort to force in releasing Johnston so as not to endanger his life.