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BBC man's parents speak of fears Parents of BBC man plea for son
(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 Gaza reporter 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 could not confirm the claims by the al-Tawhid al-Jihad brigade, describing the story as a rumour without verification.
It described the reports as rumours without any independent verification. In a separate statement, Graham and Margaret Johnston appealed for anyone with information to make contact.
In a separate statement, Graham and Margaret Johnston said: "This is a desperately worrying time for us." Meanwhile, journalists have rallied in Beirut in support of Mr Johnston.
'Highly concerned' Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist, who was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.
On Sunday the al-Tawhid al-Jihad brigade, a previously unheard of group, said it had killed Mr Johnston, linking his reputed execution to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
'Solidarity'
In the latest of almost daily demonstrations in the wake of Mr Johnston's abduction, journalists gathered outside the Lebanese Press Syndicate building in Beirut to press for his release.
It's unfortunate for journalists to be targeted just because they are doing their job Diana MoukalledLebanese TV reporter "We would like to appeal today to whoever is holding [Alan Johnston] to release him today unharmed," the BBC's Beirut correspondent, Kim Ghattas, told media.
Our correspondent said Mr Johnston had continued to do his job professionally, despite the risks.
But, more than a month since his abduction, there was concern about Mr Johnston's mental health and physical state, she said.
Another demonstrator, Lebanese TV reporter Diana Moukalled, said it was very important "to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his job.
"Because we, ourselves, have suffered a lot in Lebanon, we have a long history of targeting journalists, some of them were killed, others kidnapped, some of them were tortured.
"It's unfortunate for journalists to be targeted just because they are doing their job. "
Parents' plea
Earlier, Mr Johnston's parents Graham and Margaret Johnston issued a statement, saying it was a "desperately worrying time".
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
"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.
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.
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.