Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat criticized the Hamas-Fatah coalition government on Wednesday for failing to free a captive British journalist held in Gaza since March 12.

"The government knows where BBC reporter Alan Johnston is held and who is holding him," Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio, referring to remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmed that the government rejected the kidnappers' demands.

Earlier this week, al-Ahmed said the government has rejected the "various", "unreasonable" and "conflicted" demands of the kidnappers without disclosing what the demands are and the identity of the group that nabbed Johnston on March 12.

Also on Wednesday, press reports said Prime Minister Ismail Haneya has sent "a tough message" to the kidnappers of Johnston, asking them to release the 44-year-old reporter unconditionally.

Regarding the security situation, Erekat slammed the government for not working on restoring security and reducing anarchy in the territories, vowing to resort to the parliament to take action against the government.

"We did not give confidence to the government because of its promises ... If it is unable to boost security, we will go again to the Legislative Council," Erekat said.

He warned if the government did not launch its security- restoration plan and the Western aid cutoff remained in place, the Palestinian will "break up the government and the Palestinian National Authority."

Source: Xinhua