Efforts continue to free BBC man

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Intensive international efforts are continuing to try to secure the safe return of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, who disappeared 19 days ago.

On Thursday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal condemned the apparent kidnapping.

Prince Saud said nobody could approve of the abduction of a man who was only doing his job and hoped that Alan Johnston would be released soon.

There have been numerous international demands for his immediate release.

These include appeals from the Arab League and the European Union and non-government groups such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Frontiers.

Palestinian officials have said all possible efforts are being made to secure his safe return.

HAVE YOUR SAY Alan is one of the kindest, gentlest, non-judgmental, interested and interesting men I know Stuart Bowman, London <a class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5911&edition=1">Send your message to Alan</a>

Alan Johnston went missing on his way home from work in Gaza on 12 March.

On Monday, there were events in London and Gaza to mark two weeks since Mr Johnston was last seen, and more events are planned next for Monday.

His is widely believed to have been kidnapped but no demands have been made public.

Prince Saud made his comments at the end of a two-day Arab summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

"Certainly this is not something that anybody, anybody would approve of," he said. "This man was doing his job and we hope that he will be released."

The BBC describes Alan Johnston as a highly experienced and respected reporter.

Aged 44, he was born in Tanzania and educated in Scotland.

He joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.