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BBC marks Alan Johnston birthday BBC marks Alan Johnston birthday
(about 4 hours later)
The BBC, the UN and international journalists' groups are holding vigils to mark the 45th birthday of kidnapped BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. There has been a series of vigils held around the world to mark the 45th birthday of the kidnapped BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
Journalists are gathering in Hong Kong, Iran, the West Bank and Moscow. The BBC, along with the UN and several international journalist groups, have been holding vigils in Hong Kong, Iran, the West Bank and Moscow.
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. Mr Johnston was seized on 12 March in Gaza City.
Mr Johnston is spending his birthday in captivity amid renewed clashes in Gaza. He was seized in Gaza City on 12 March. The British government is in talks with an Islamic cleric detained in the UK who offered to help secure his release.
'Bin Laden ambassador''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 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."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 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 BBCWe 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. Mr Johnston's 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 the reporter'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.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."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 Deep sympathy
A spokesman for the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong, Christopher Slaughter, spoke of Mr Johnston's bravery and integrity.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.""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.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.
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."
Online petitionOnline petition
A tape allegedly made by Mr Johnston's kidnappers was released last week.A tape allegedly made by Mr Johnston's kidnappers was released last week.
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
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.