Palestinian government rejects demands of BBC journalist kidnappers

The Palestinian government said on Monday that it rejected the demands of the kidnappers of BBC British journalist Alan Johnston presented 48 days after the reporter's abduction in Gaza.

Azzam al-Ahmed, Deputy Prime Minister of the Hamas-Fatah coalition, told reporters in Ramallah that the kidnappers have held the first contact with the government this morning and their demands had been rejected.

He, however, did not disclose the demands or the identity of the group that kidnapped Johnston at gunpoint on March 12 as he was driving home in Gaza City.

Al-Ahmed's remarks were the first official information delivered to the press about Johnston.

"The government will follow the case of the British journalist to secure his release with all means," al-Ahmed stressed.

Johnston, 44, was the only Western journalist based full time in the Gaza Strip where about 17 foreigners were kidnapped in the 2006.

All of the kidnapped people used to be released unharmed in hours or a few days. Johnston has been the longest-held hostage.

Source: Xinhua