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BBC's Gaza correspondent released BBC's Gaza correspondent released
(20 minutes later)
BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has been released by kidnappers in Gaza after nearly four months in captivity.BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has been released by kidnappers in Gaza after nearly four months in captivity.
He said it was "fantastic" to be free after an "appalling experience". TV footage showed Mr Johnston, 45, leaving a building accompanied by armed men.He said it was "fantastic" to be free after an "appalling experience". TV footage showed Mr Johnston, 45, leaving a building accompanied by armed men.
He later appeared beside Hamas leader Ismail Haniya and thanked everyone who had worked for his release.He later appeared beside Hamas leader Ismail Haniya and thanked everyone who had worked for his release.
Rallies worldwide had called for Mr Johnston's release. An online petition was signed by some 200,000 people.Rallies worldwide had called for Mr Johnston's release. An online petition was signed by some 200,000 people.
The BBC reporter was handed over to officials of the Hamas administration in the early hours of Wednesday morning.The BBC reporter was handed over to officials of the Hamas administration in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Hamas' military wing had said it would actively work towards securing Mr Johnston's release, warning his kidnappers it was prepared to use force.Hamas' military wing had said it would actively work towards securing Mr Johnston's release, warning his kidnappers it was prepared to use force.
Gunmen from the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement overran Gaza last month, expelling their rivals from the Fatah faction.Gunmen from the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement overran Gaza last month, expelling their rivals from the Fatah faction.
Fatah's defeat in Gaza prompted its leader, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, to sack Mr Haniya as prime minister.Fatah's defeat in Gaza prompted its leader, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, to sack Mr Haniya as prime minister.
Security pushSecurity push
Mr Johnston was abducted on 12 March by the Army of Islam, a shadowy militant group dominated by Gaza's powerful Dugmush clan.Mr Johnston was abducted on 12 March by the Army of Islam, a shadowy militant group dominated by Gaza's powerful Dugmush clan.
I literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room Alan Johnston Profile: Alan Johnston Reactions in quotes BBC statement in fullI literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room Alan Johnston Profile: Alan Johnston Reactions in quotes BBC statement in full
The group released three videos, two of which featured footage of the kidnapped correspondent.The group released three videos, two of which featured footage of the kidnapped correspondent.
It said it would kill its captive if its demands for the release of Muslim prisoners in British custody were not met.It said it would kill its captive if its demands for the release of Muslim prisoners in British custody were not met.
A senior Hamas official, Mahmoud Zahar, said no deal was done with the kidnappers to secure Mr Johnston's release.A senior Hamas official, Mahmoud Zahar, said no deal was done with the kidnappers to secure Mr Johnston's release.
He added that Hamas did not work towards the release "to receive favours from the British government".He added that Hamas did not work towards the release "to receive favours from the British government".
"We did this because of humanitarian concern, and to achieve a government aim to extend security to all without fear.""We did this because of humanitarian concern, and to achieve a government aim to extend security to all without fear."
A Hamas leader living in exile in Syria, Khaled Meshaal, told the Reuters news agency Mr Johnston's release revealed the failings of the preceding Fatah administration.A Hamas leader living in exile in Syria, Khaled Meshaal, told the Reuters news agency Mr Johnston's release revealed the failings of the preceding Fatah administration.
"It showed the difference between the era in which a group used to encourage and commit security anarchy... and the current situation in which Hamas is seeking to stabilise security," Mr Meshaal was quoted as saying."It showed the difference between the era in which a group used to encourage and commit security anarchy... and the current situation in which Hamas is seeking to stabilise security," Mr Meshaal was quoted as saying.
'Dreamt of freedom''Dreamt of freedom'
Appearing at a press conference alongside Hamas leader Haniya, Mr Johnston thanked everyone who had worked towards his release.Appearing at a press conference alongside Hamas leader Haniya, Mr Johnston thanked everyone who had worked towards his release.
Hamas officials have claimed credit for Mr Johnston's releaseHamas officials have claimed credit for Mr Johnston's release
"The last 16 weeks have been the very worst of my life," he said. "I was in the hands of people who were dangerous and unpredictable.""The last 16 weeks have been the very worst of my life," he said. "I was in the hands of people who were dangerous and unpredictable."
"I literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room.""I literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room."
Mr Johnston said he was not tortured during captivity but he did fall ill from the food he was served.Mr Johnston said he was not tortured during captivity but he did fall ill from the food he was served.
He said Hamas' seizure of power in Gaza and its subsequent pledge to improve security in the territory had facilitated his release.He said Hamas' seizure of power in Gaza and its subsequent pledge to improve security in the territory had facilitated his release.
"The kidnappers seemed very comfortable and very secure in their operation until... a few weeks ago, when Hamas took charge of the security operation here," he said."The kidnappers seemed very comfortable and very secure in their operation until... a few weeks ago, when Hamas took charge of the security operation here," he said.
The journalist said he was moved twice during his spell in captivity.The journalist said he was moved twice during his spell in captivity.
Radio contactRadio contact
Having worked in Gaza for the past three years, Mr Johnston said he was well aware of Palestinian traditions of hospitality and regarded his abductors as an "aberration".Having worked in Gaza for the past three years, Mr Johnston said he was well aware of Palestinian traditions of hospitality and regarded his abductors as an "aberration".
He described his experience of captivity as "appalling" and "occasionally quite terrifying".He described his experience of captivity as "appalling" and "occasionally quite terrifying".
"It became quite hard to imagine normal life again," he said."It became quite hard to imagine normal life again," he said.
He said he was looking forward to being re-united with his family in Scotland, expressing sorrow that his "actions" had brought turmoil to their lives.He said he was looking forward to being re-united with his family in Scotland, expressing sorrow that his "actions" had brought turmoil to their lives.
He is said to have had a brief conversation with his father over the telephone after being released. He had a brief conversation with his father over the telephone after being released.
Mr Johnston said he stayed aware of efforts to free him by listening to the BBC World Service on the radio - and news of demonstrations in his support was a source of comfort to him. Mr Johnston said he stayed aware of efforts to free him by listening to the BBC World Service on the radio.
News of global demonstrations in his support was a source of comfort to him, he said.
The BBC has issued a statement expressing relief and delight at its employee's release.The BBC has issued a statement expressing relief and delight at its employee's release.
Mr Johnston left the Gaza Strip later on Wednesday morning, entering Israel via the Erez crossing.