More than 100 journalists gathered in scorching heat on Monday in Brussels to show solidarity with Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent who was abducted in Gaza five weeks ago.

"We ask, and I beg, that you release him now, today," said Johnny Dymond, a BBC correspondent, in an emotional plea.

"Alan is not an actor in the Gaza Strip. He is not a player. He is not an important person. He is an observer," he said.

To Johnston, he said, "We have not forgotten you, we will not forget you and we will see you again."

Margot Wallstroem, European Commission vice president in charge of institutional ties and communication strategy, also asked for the immediate release of Johnston.

"Of course we also call for the immediate release of the experienced journalist. This is important also because he's trying to do his job," she said.

She also offered help from the European Commission if there is a need.

Leila Shahid, Palestine's envoy to the European Commission, said the Palestinian authorities are trying to locate the abducted journalist but no group has claimed responsibility.

She hoped that Johnston could ultimately be set free as all the 14 other journalists kidnapped in recent months in the Palestinian territories had been released in good health.

Johnston, who has been working in Gaza as a reporter for BBC since 2004, was stopped by unknown masked gunmen on March 12 while he was driving his car and abducted at a gunpoint.

A previously unknown group issued a statement Sunday saying it has killed Johnston. But the Palestinian authorities have said they could not confirm that.

Source: Xinhua