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Palestinians 'united' on Johnston Palestinians 'united' on Johnston
(about 2 hours later)
A senior Palestinian figure has said all factions are united in condemning the abduction of the BBC's Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston.A senior Palestinian figure has said all factions are united in condemning the abduction of the BBC's Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston.
Saeb Erekat, advisor to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, said military action would be justified to free him. Saeb Erekat, adviser to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, said military action would be justified to free him.
His comments followed the release on Friday of a video of Mr Johnston, the first since his abduction on 12 March.His comments followed the release on Friday of a video of Mr Johnston, the first since his abduction on 12 March.
Mr Johnston's parents welcomed the video, in which he says he is in good health and is being treated well.Mr Johnston's parents welcomed the video, in which he says he is in good health and is being treated well.
Graham and Margaret Johnston said the video, reportedly posted on the internet by the Army of Islam group, had given them "renewed hope".Graham and Margaret Johnston said the video, reportedly posted on the internet by the Army of Islam group, had given them "renewed hope".
"He looked well," Mr Johnston's father said. "Apparently he has been well cared for as he said, although I have to say it is very distressing to see him in such circumstances.""He looked well," Mr Johnston's father said. "Apparently he has been well cared for as he said, although I have to say it is very distressing to see him in such circumstances."
"I would just hope this maybe is the end game. We hope and pray it is.""I would just hope this maybe is the end game. We hope and pray it is."
Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a visit to South Africa, said the British government was doing everything it possibly could to secure his release.Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a visit to South Africa, said the British government was doing everything it possibly could to secure his release.
A BBC statement read: "This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release."A BBC statement read: "This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release."
DemandsDemands
On the video, Mr Johnston, seated and wearing a red sweatshirt, said his captors had treated him very well.On the video, Mr Johnston, seated and wearing a red sweatshirt, said his captors had treated him very well.
ALAN JOHNSTON PETITION More than 130,000 people have written to the BBC to demand Alan Johnston's release Add your name Send messages of support Show support on your blogALAN JOHNSTON PETITION More than 130,000 people have written to the BBC to demand Alan Johnston's release Add your name Send messages of support Show support on your blog
"They have fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I'm in good health," he said."They have fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I'm in good health," he said.
He also called for an end to Western sanctions that have been imposed on the Palestinian government.He also called for an end to Western sanctions that have been imposed on the Palestinian government.
"Everyday there are Palestinians arrested, imprisoned for no reason. People are killed on a daily basis. The economic suffering is terrible, especially here in Gaza.""Everyday there are Palestinians arrested, imprisoned for no reason. People are killed on a daily basis. The economic suffering is terrible, especially here in Gaza."
Mr Johnston also said the British government was working to occupy Muslim lands, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, against the will of the people there.Mr Johnston also said the British government was working to occupy Muslim lands, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, against the will of the people there.
At the end of the tape, the Army of Islam demanded the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security.At the end of the tape, the Army of Islam demanded the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security.
'Military operation''Military operation'
In an interview with BBC's Newsnight programme, Mr Erekat said he believed the video was a "proof of life", but also that the BBC journalist was speaking under duress.In an interview with BBC's Newsnight programme, Mr Erekat said he believed the video was a "proof of life", but also that the BBC journalist was speaking under duress.
ARMY OF ISLAM FACTS Small, Islamist armed group operating in GazaSplinter group of the Popular Resistance CommitteesSeeks liberation of Palestine and an Islamic stateInfluenced by, but not affiliated with, al-QaedaLed by Mumtaz Dugmush, also known as Abu Muhammad, a member of a powerful clanOne of three groups allegedly holding captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit Video: Full transcriptARMY OF ISLAM FACTS Small, Islamist armed group operating in GazaSplinter group of the Popular Resistance CommitteesSeeks liberation of Palestine and an Islamic stateInfluenced by, but not affiliated with, al-QaedaLed by Mumtaz Dugmush, also known as Abu Muhammad, a member of a powerful clanOne of three groups allegedly holding captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit Video: Full transcript
"To have him say what he said today in a tape which was circulated the world over, I believe this harms the Palestinian cause," he said."To have him say what he said today in a tape which was circulated the world over, I believe this harms the Palestinian cause," he said.
Mr Erekat said the Palestinian Authority did not know anything about the Army of Islam, or its alleged leaders, the Dugmush clan.Mr Erekat said the Palestinian Authority did not know anything about the Army of Islam, or its alleged leaders, the Dugmush clan.
"These people are nothing more than gangsters," he added. "I don't think they are linked to anyone.""These people are nothing more than gangsters," he added. "I don't think they are linked to anyone."
Nevertheless, he said Mr Abbas was exerting pressure on his cabinet and all the Palestinian factions to ensure Mr Johnston's release.Nevertheless, he said Mr Abbas was exerting pressure on his cabinet and all the Palestinian factions to ensure Mr Johnston's release.
"Fatah, Hamas, all the factions, the president, the prime minister, in this particular case, they see eye to eye," Mr Erekat said."Fatah, Hamas, all the factions, the president, the prime minister, in this particular case, they see eye to eye," Mr Erekat said.
"We are all unified as far as condemning this despicable and shameful act.""We are all unified as far as condemning this despicable and shameful act."
Mr Erekat said the current situation could not be tolerated and that the government simply had to act.Mr Erekat said the current situation could not be tolerated and that the government simply had to act.
"We must really determine where his location is, and then move... even if it takes a military or a security operation," he said."We must really determine where his location is, and then move... even if it takes a military or a security operation," he said.
Mr Johnston, 45, was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza and his abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and rights groups around the world.Mr Johnston, 45, was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza and his abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and rights groups around the world.
More than 130,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release.More than 130,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release.