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BBC to mark Johnston's birthday BBC to mark Johnston's birthday
(29 minutes later)
BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston is spending his 45th birthday in captivity after being kidnapped nine weeks ago. BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston is spending his 45th birthday in captivity after being kidnapped nine weeks ago, amid continuing fighting in Gaza.
Vigils to mark it will be held by the BBC in London, Tehran, Moscow, Hong Kong and Ramallah.Vigils to mark it will be held by the BBC in London, Tehran, Moscow, Hong Kong and Ramallah.
Mr Johnston's family in Scotland has recorded a birthday greeting, hoping he can access it on radio or television. Meanwhile, an Islamic cleric detained in the UK, Abu Qatada, has reportedly offered to travel to Gaza to help secure Mr Johnston's release.
The journalist was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. His birthday comes as renewed fighting erupts between Palestinian factions in Gaza. The journalist was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.
The BBC said the deteriorating situation was worrying but everything was being done to secure Mr Johnston's release. The BBC said the deteriorating security situation in Gaza in recent days was worrying but everything was being done to secure Mr Johnston's release.
"It is particularly sad that he cannot celebrate his birthday... with the people close to him," said BBC director-general Mark Thompson. Thousands of Alan's friends and colleagues [are] all fervently hoping that he is safe and will soon be free Mark ThompsonBBC director general Mr Johnston's family in Scotland has recorded a birthday greeting, hoping he can access it on radio or television.
"It is particularly sad that he cannot celebrate his birthday... with the people close to him," said BBC director general Mark Thompson.
"Across the BBC, I know there are thousands of Alan's friends and colleagues all fervently hoping that he is safe and will soon be free to return home to his family.""Across the BBC, I know there are thousands of Alan's friends and colleagues all fervently hoping that he is safe and will soon be free to return home to his family."
PetitionPetition
Meanwhile radical Islamist cleric Abu Qatada, who is being detained in Britain, has reportedly offered to assist efforts to secure Mr Johnson's release. The Islamic Observatory Centre, a London-based organisation, said it had received a letter from Abu Qatada, the radical cleric, saying he was ready to travel with a BBC delegation to Gaza and contact the captors.
The Islamic Observatory Centre, a London-based organisation, said it had received a letter from Mr Qatada saying he was ready to travel with a BBC delegation to Gaza.
The British Foreign Office said it was unaware of the letter.The British Foreign Office said it was unaware of the letter.
A tape allegedly made by his kidnappers - a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) - was released last week. A tape allegedly made by Mr Johnston's kidnappers - a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) - was released last week.
It showed his BBC ID card and demanded the release of Muslim prisoners in British jails.It showed his BBC ID card and demanded the release of Muslim prisoners in British jails.
The abduction of Mr Johnston, the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza, has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and rights groups around the world.The abduction of Mr Johnston, the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza, has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and rights groups around the world.
Last week, Mr Johnston was named broadcast journalist of the year by the London Press Club for his work reporting from the Gaza Strip.Last week, Mr Johnston was named broadcast journalist of the year by the London Press Club for his work reporting from the Gaza Strip.
An online petition calling for Mr Johnston's release has so far been signed by 93,000 people.An online petition calling for Mr Johnston's release has so far been signed by 93,000 people.