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Hamas demands BBC man's release Hamas 'working to free BBC man'
(about 8 hours later)
The Palestinian Islamist movement, Hamas, says it has sent a message to the kidnappers of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, demanding his release. The Palestinian Islamist movement, Hamas, says it is taking "practical steps" to secure the release of kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston.
A Hamas spokesman told reporters in Gaza - which is now controlled by the group - that it would not allow the BBC correspondent's captivity to continue. Hamas said it had sent a warning to Mr Johnston's kidnappers, hours after the movement claimed victory in a bloody power struggle in Gaza.
He said Mr Johnston was the guest of the Palestinian people and should be made welcome in their midst. A spokesman said Mr Johnston, a hostage for three months, was the Palestinians' guest and should be made welcome.
The Army of Islam says it is holding Mr Johnston, abducted in Gaza on 12 March. The reporter was abducted in March by a group calling itself The Army of Islam.
Palestinian militants purportedly belonging to the group posted a video on the internet on 1 June showing the first pictures of the reporter, in which he said he was being well treated.Palestinian militants purportedly belonging to the group posted a video on the internet on 1 June showing the first pictures of the reporter, in which he said he was being well treated.
We have sent a message to his kidnappers to release him immediately - we warned against not setting him free Abu ObaydaHamas spokesman
The 45-year-old 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.The 45-year-old 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 160,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release.More than 160,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release.
Hamas warningHamas warning
Hamas spokesman Abu Obayda said his organisation would no longer allow the journalist to be held captive and that it was in contact with Mr Johnston's abductors.Hamas spokesman Abu Obayda said his organisation would no longer allow the journalist to be held captive and that it was in contact with Mr Johnston's abductors.
We have sent a message to his kidnappers to release him immediately - we warned against not setting him free Abu ObaydaHamas spokesman
"We have sent a message to his kidnappers to release him immediately. We warned against not setting him free. This is all I can say now," Mr Obayda told a news conference."We have sent a message to his kidnappers to release him immediately. We warned against not setting him free. This is all I can say now," Mr Obayda told a news conference.
Mr Obayda was speaking a day after Hamas seized control of Gaza after a week of fierce fighting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah forces. He said the group "will not allow anyone to attack journalists or foreigners, because they are helping our people".
In response Mr Abbas has dissolved the three-month-old unity government and appointed a new prime minister. He plans to rule by presidential decree until conditions are right for elections. Mr Obayda was speaking a day after Hamas seized control of Gaza after a week of fierce fighting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah forces.
In response Mr Abbas has dissolved the three-month-old unity government and appointed a new prime minister.
He says he plans to rule by presidential decree until conditions are right for elections.