Ghazi Hamad, a spokesman for Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya of Hamas, met several times with kidnapped BBC reporter in Gaza, a pro-Hamas daily reported on Monday.

The Palestinian newspaper added that Hamad has embarked on a low-profile visit to London to discuss the release of a key al- Qaida figure in exchange for the release of Alan Johnston as his captors demanded.

The British government invited Hamad to visit the UK to discuss the release of Abu Qutada who is held in London following September 2001 bombing, said the newspaper.

The Army of Islam, which joined Hamas movement in kidnapping an Israeli soldier almost a year ago, claimed responsibility for holding Johnston, a 44-year-old British working for the BBC in Gaza.

Johnston was the only Western reporter to stay full time in the restless Gaza.

In a ceremony held in Wales two days ago, Hamad made the first ever official remarks about Johnston's conditions, saying he was alive, well and might be released soon.

Source: Xinhua