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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| BBC man's parents speak of fears | BBC man's parents speak of fears |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The parents of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have said they are desperately worried after Palestinian militants claimed to have killed their son. | The parents of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have said they are desperately worried after Palestinian militants claimed to have killed their son. |
| In a statement, the BBC said it still cannot confirm the claims by the al- Tawhid al-Jihad brigade, previously unheard of in the region. | In a statement, the BBC said it still cannot confirm the claims by the al- Tawhid al-Jihad brigade, previously unheard of in the region. |
| It described the reports as rumours without any independent verification. | It described the reports as rumours without any independent verification. |
| In a separate statement, Graham and Margaret Johnston said: "This is a desperately worrying time for us." | In a separate statement, Graham and Margaret Johnston said: "This is a desperately worrying time for us." |
| 'Highly concerned' | 'Highly concerned' |
| They added: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and well-being to contact the authorities in Gaza. | They added: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and well-being to contact the authorities in Gaza. |
| We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification, BBC statement | We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification, BBC statement |
| "Our son has lived and worked among the people of Gaza for the last three years to bring their story to the outside world and we ask every one of them to help end this ordeal." | "Our son has lived and worked among the people of Gaza for the last three years to bring their story to the outside world and we ask every one of them to help end this ordeal." |
| In its statement, the BBC appealed again for those holding Mr Johnston, its Gaza correspondent, to release him unharmed. | In its statement, the BBC appealed again for those holding Mr Johnston, its Gaza correspondent, to release him unharmed. |
| It still described the claims as rumours and it said they remain without any independent verification. | It still described the claims as rumours and it said they remain without any independent verification. |
| "We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification," it added. | "We continue to be highly concerned for his safety and are working closely with the Palestinian and British authorities to seek urgent clarification," it added. |
| The 44-year-old reporter was seized at gunpoint as he drove home from work on 12 March. | The 44-year-old reporter was seized at gunpoint as he drove home from work on 12 March. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY My thoughts and prayers go to Alan, his family and friends at this difficult time Louise, Liverpool Send us your comments | |
| Mr Johnston, from Scotland, 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. | Mr Johnston, from Scotland, 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. |
| He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. | He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. |
| His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March. | His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March. |