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BBC man's 'killing' not verified BBC man's 'killing' not verified
(40 minutes later)
The BBC says it still has no independent verification of a claim by a Palestinian militant group that it has killed its reporter Alan Johnston.The BBC says it still has no independent verification of a claim by a Palestinian militant group that it has killed its reporter Alan Johnston.
The corporation said it was "highly concerned" for Mr Johnston's safety and reiterated calls for his release.The corporation said it was "highly concerned" for Mr Johnston's safety and reiterated calls for his release.
On Sunday, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston.On Sunday, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston.
BBC colleagues have rallied for Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.BBC colleagues have rallied for Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.
His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried and have appealed for anyone with information about their son to make contact.His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried and have appealed for anyone with information about their son to make contact.
Journalists have rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston, as public campaigns to secure his release continue. ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6518873.stm">Timeline: Alan Johnston missing Journalists have rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston, as public campaigns to secure his release continue.
Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist, who was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist, who was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.
Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels.Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels.
BBC ralliesBBC rallies
BBC colleagues held a vigil at London's Television Centre, in Birmingham and at Bush House, home of the World Service.BBC colleagues held a vigil at London's Television Centre, in Birmingham and at Bush House, home of the World Service.
ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6518873.stm">Timeline: Alan Johnston missing The corporation's Director General Mark Thompson said the BBC was still seeking clarification of the reporter's condition. The corporation's Director General Mark Thompson said the BBC was still seeking clarification of the reporter's condition.
He praised Mr Johnston's family, calling the wait for news "agonising" for them.He praised Mr Johnston's family, calling the wait for news "agonising" for them.
Earlier, in a statement, the BBC said it could not confirm the claims by the Tawhid and Jihad (Holy War and Unity) brigades, describing the story as a rumour without verification.Earlier, in a statement, the BBC said it could not confirm the claims by the Tawhid and Jihad (Holy War and Unity) brigades, describing the story as a rumour without verification.
"We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities," it said. There have been worldwide calls for Alan Johnston's release"We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities," it said.
The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made its claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported execution to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made its claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported execution to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government was investigating the reports.A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government was investigating the reports.
"We are working closely with the Palestinian Authority and are urgently seeking information from them and other sources," he said."We are working closely with the Palestinian Authority and are urgently seeking information from them and other sources," he said.
'Worrying time''Worrying time'
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.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 very important to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his 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.It's very important to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his 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.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.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".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".
Earlier, Mr Johnston's parents Graham and Margaret Johnston issued a statement, saying it was a "desperately worrying time".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."
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.