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BBC journalist 'still missing' in Gaza

15/03/2007

A British journalist believed to have been kidnapped in the Gaza Strip remains missing, the BBC have confirmed.

Alan Johnston was first reported missing on Monday evening by his employers, the BBC, who refused to confirm media claims that he had been kidnapped.

Masked gunmen were sighted close to where Mr Johnston's car was found abandoned, leading to suspicions that he is the latest of a number of western reporters to have been kidnapped while based in Gaza.

Today the BBC's Middle East bureau chief, Simon Wilson, said in a press conference that his organisation "continues to be concerned about the welfare of Alan Johnston".

"It's a difficult time for Alan's colleagues but it's an especially difficult time for Alan's family," he said.

"They're being kept fully updated and they've all been very moved by the expressions of support that we've had from Gaza, from around the Middle East and indeed from around the world."

He thanked the offices of the Palestinian prime minister and president, Ismael Haniyeh and Mahmoud Abbas, for their help in "what is obviously a busy time for them", referring to today's joint announcement of a unity government.

The reported abduction of Mr Johnston, one of the last remaining western journalists following daily events in Gaza, has been condemned as a "criminal act" by the Palestinian government.

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