This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6664075.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
BBC marks Alan Johnston birthday BBC marks Alan Johnston birthday
(about 2 hours later)
BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston is spending his 45th birthday in captivity after being kidnapped nine weeks ago, amid continuing fighting in Gaza. The BBC, the UN and international journalists' groups are holding vigils to mark the 45th birthday of kidnapped BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
Vigils to mark it will be held by the BBC in London, Tehran, Moscow, Hong Kong and Ramallah. Journalists are gathering in Hong Kong, Iran, the West Bank and Moscow.
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 British government is in talks with an Islamic cleric detained in the UK who has offered to help secure Mr Johnston's release, officials said.
The journalist was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. Mr Johnston is spending his birthday in captivity amid renewed clashes in Gaza. He was seized in Gaza City on 12 March.
'Bin Laden ambassador'
The Islamic Observatory Centre, a London-based organisation, said it had received a letter from radical cleric Abu Qatada, saying he was ready to travel with a BBC delegation to Gaza and contact the captors.
"The government has been in discussion with Abu Qatada's lawyer to see if he would be willing to make a humanitarian appeal for Alan's safe release," a UK Foreign Office spokeswoman told the BBC News website.
"We regret that so far no such appeal has been made."
We welcome any assistance from any individual who might be in a position to influence the release of Alan Johnston BBC
His alleged kidnappers - a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) - have demanded Abu Qatada's release from Long Lartin Prison in Britain as a condition of Mr Johnston's release.
Abu Qatada, who has been described as Osama Bin Laden's "spiritual ambassador in Europe", is awaiting deportation to Jordan after the British government accused him of raising funds for extremist groups and offering "religious legitimacy" to militants.
"As we have said over the past 66 days we welcome any assistance from any individual who might be in a position to influence the release of Alan Johnston," the BBC said.
Birthday vigils
A spokesman for the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong, Christopher Slaughter, spoke of Mr Johnston's bravery and integrity.
"Alan Johnston has been working courageously and with great integrity in the danger zone and his captors know this," he said. "They should free him immediately."
In Tehran, the head of the Iranian Journalist Association, Mashaallah Shamsolviezin, expressed his deep sympathy with Alan Johnston on behalf of all freedom-loving journalists around the world.
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.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.
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. The BBC will feature special reports, interviews and birthday wishes from friends and family in the hope that Mr Johnston may access them 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."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."
Petition Online petition
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. A tape allegedly made by Mr Johnston's kidnappers was released last week.
The British Foreign Office said it was unaware of the letter.
ALAN JOHNSTON PETITION More than 90,000 people have written to the BBC to demand Alan Johnston's release Add your name Send messages of supportALAN JOHNSTON PETITION More than 90,000 people have written to the BBC to demand Alan Johnston's release Add your name Send messages of support
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.