Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he has evidence a BBC reporter abducted in Gaza a month ago is alive and well, the British Broadcasting Corporation's director-general said on Thursday.
The journalist, Alan Johnston, has been held longer than any other foreign journalist seized in the Gaza Strip. There has been no claim of responsibility for the kidnapping. "Yesterday, I met with President Abbas. He told me that he had credible evidence that Alan was safe and well," BBC Director-General Mark Thompson told a news conference in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.
"He assured me that Palestinian authorities are fully engaged with Alan's case and are working to resolve it as soon as possible." Johnston's parents held a news conference in London to mark a month since their son's abduction and called for his immediate release.
"I don't know if you will see this but I just felt that I wanted you to know how distressed and sorry we all are that you were taken," Johnston's father Graham said, reading from a letter addressed to his son.
"I would like to say something to those who are holding you. You have families. Please think about what this is doing to my family, including in particular the distress and deep, deep concern Alan's mother and sister have had to endure for all these long weeks. As I have said before - please - let my son go, now, today."
Palestinian journalists have held a three-day strike to press their government to do more to ensure Johnston, the only foreign journalist permanently based in Gaza, is freed. Thompson, who is a leading a day of action to press for Johnston's release, said he was increasingly concerned about his welfare, despite Abbas's assurances.
"This morning, I appeal to all those who may have influence with the kidnappers to use their best endeavours to secure Alan's release - safely and speedily - and ensure his return to his family and friends as quickly as possible," Thompson said.
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