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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Archbishop prays for BBC Gaza man | Archbishop prays for BBC Gaza man |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The second most senior cleric in the Church of England is to hold a prayer vigil for BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who has been abducted in Gaza. | The second most senior cleric in the Church of England is to hold a prayer vigil for BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who has been abducted in Gaza. |
| Archbishop of York John Sentamu said this afternoon's vigil would include a plea for Mr Johnston's release and for an end to violence in the Middle East. | Archbishop of York John Sentamu said this afternoon's vigil would include a plea for Mr Johnston's release and for an end to violence in the Middle East. |
| A Palestinian militant group has said that it has killed Mr Johnston. | A Palestinian militant group has said that it has killed Mr Johnston. |
| The BBC has said it is "highly concerned" but that it has no independent verification of the claim. | The BBC has said it is "highly concerned" but that it has no independent verification of the claim. |
| 'Heartfelt appeal' | 'Heartfelt appeal' |
| Dr Sentamu said he would say a prayer aimed at "those who think violence is the answer to the problems of the Middle East". | Dr Sentamu said he would say a prayer aimed at "those who think violence is the answer to the problems of the Middle East". |
| The vigil will be held in the chapel of Bishopthorpe Palace, his official residence in York. | |
| Dr Sentamu will call for an end to Middle East violence | Dr Sentamu will call for an end to Middle East violence |
| Dr Sentamu said Mr Johnston "represented all those who put their lives at risk in an attempt to inform the wider world of the daily dangers faced by those in places such as Palestine". | Dr Sentamu said Mr Johnston "represented all those who put their lives at risk in an attempt to inform the wider world of the daily dangers faced by those in places such as Palestine". |
| On Sunday, a previously unknown group, the Tawhid and Jihad brigades, claimed it had killed Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. | On Sunday, a previously unknown group, the Tawhid and Jihad brigades, claimed it had killed Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. |
| His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried. | His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried. |
| 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." |
| Journalists on Monday rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston. | Journalists on Monday rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston. |
| Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist. | Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist. |
| Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels. | Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels. |
| BBC rallies | BBC 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 Timeline: Alan Johnston missing | ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 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 (Unity and Holy War) 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 (Unity and Holy War) 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," the group said. | "We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities," the group said. |
| The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made their claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported killing to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. | The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made their claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported killing 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. |
| 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. |