In an unprecedented contact between the British government and Hamas-affiliated ministers from the Palestinian unity government, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh hosted in his Gaza office the British consul general in Jerusalem, Richard Makepeace, in order to discuss the issue of the abducted BBC reporter, Alan Johnston.
Haniyeh expressed his happiness regarding the visit and affirmed that he stands for the freedom of Alan Johnston. He depicted the abduction as contrary to the good nature of the Palestinian people, while affirming that the perpetrators of such an action will never represent the Palestinian people, who he said appreciate the role which Johnston played in telling the world about the situation in Palestine.
Alan Johnston, the BBC's correspondent in the Gaza Strip, was abducted by gunmen in Gaza on 12 March. No demands have been made public and the identity of his captors is still unknown.
Journalists across the occupied Palestinian territories have been calling for greater action to ensure Johnston's release.
For his part, on behalf of the British government, the British consul general applauded the efforts which the Palestinian government and Prime Minister Haniyeh are taking in order to release Johnston as soon as possible.
This is the first official contact between British governmental officials and members of the Hamas leadership. Previously, the UK government has stated it will only contact non-Hamas members of the Palestinian unity government. On 16 March 2007, a British consular spokesman said, "Initially it will be easier to deal with those members of the government who clearly want to see a two state solution with the state of Palestine existing in peace alongside Israel."
According to the BBC, Richard Makepeace said the meeting in Gaza was arranged solely to discuss "this very important humanitarian issue" of releasing Alan Johnston.
After meeting Haniyeh, Richard Makepeace stressed that the meeting did not signal a change in UK policy towards Hamas, according to the BBC.
President Abbas: Shalit and Johnston will be released soon
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told French satellite television that both the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, and the kidnapped British BBC reporter, Alan Johnston, will be released soon.
"I would like to say that we are working to secure Shalit's release and that these efforts will soon bear fruit. We are optimistic. He will be released soon", Abbas told the France 24 news channel, according to reports from Agence France Presse.
Shalit was captured by Palestinian gunmen near the Gaza Strip on June 25.
"I am convinced we must free the soldier Shalit. He cannot remain imprisoned all this time", he said in the interview.
"At the same time, we say to the Israelis that they must free the Palestinian prisoners. But one thing does not depend on the other. Shalit must be released."
According to AFP, Abbas also said he was "certain" that abducted British BBC correspondent Alan Johnston was alive and would be "released shortly".
AFP also suggested that Johnston's abductors, whose identity remains unknown, have revealed certain conditions on his release. "We are in permanent contact with the British government, with the foreign ministry. We have discussed with them the conditions of his (Johnston's) kidnapping and his release", Abbas said.
"We are progressing step by step and I am absolutely certain that he will be released shortly, and of course, that he will go home", the Palestinian president said.
Johnston, 44, is now in his fourth week of captivity after he was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on March 12. This represents the longest period a Westerner has been kept kidnapped in Gaza.
Johnston was the BBC's Gaza correspondent and the only Western journalist based permanently in the Strip. His posting in Gaza was due to end in April 2007.
Palestinians journalists have staged rallies in the West Bank and Gaza calling on Palestinian leaders to take greater action to secure Johnston's release. Many journalists even boycotted reporting on all government activities for three days.
Yousef Alhelou
Yousef Alhelou is a freelance Palestinian journalist based in Gaza. He can be contacted on ydamadan@hotmail.com
Please also see:
Fresh protests for BBC reporter
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6534273.stm
Three Iraqi journalists killed in three days in Baghdad
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=21623
Findings of investigation impatiently awaited
six months after Anna Politkovskaya’s murder
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=21596
Haniyeh expressed his happiness regarding the visit and affirmed that he stands for the freedom of Alan Johnston. He depicted the abduction as contrary to the good nature of the Palestinian people, while affirming that the perpetrators of such an action will never represent the Palestinian people, who he said appreciate the role which Johnston played in telling the world about the situation in Palestine.
Alan Johnston, the BBC's correspondent in the Gaza Strip, was abducted by gunmen in Gaza on 12 March. No demands have been made public and the identity of his captors is still unknown.
Journalists across the occupied Palestinian territories have been calling for greater action to ensure Johnston's release.
For his part, on behalf of the British government, the British consul general applauded the efforts which the Palestinian government and Prime Minister Haniyeh are taking in order to release Johnston as soon as possible.
This is the first official contact between British governmental officials and members of the Hamas leadership. Previously, the UK government has stated it will only contact non-Hamas members of the Palestinian unity government. On 16 March 2007, a British consular spokesman said, "Initially it will be easier to deal with those members of the government who clearly want to see a two state solution with the state of Palestine existing in peace alongside Israel."
According to the BBC, Richard Makepeace said the meeting in Gaza was arranged solely to discuss "this very important humanitarian issue" of releasing Alan Johnston.
After meeting Haniyeh, Richard Makepeace stressed that the meeting did not signal a change in UK policy towards Hamas, according to the BBC.
President Abbas: Shalit and Johnston will be released soon
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told French satellite television that both the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, and the kidnapped British BBC reporter, Alan Johnston, will be released soon.
"I would like to say that we are working to secure Shalit's release and that these efforts will soon bear fruit. We are optimistic. He will be released soon", Abbas told the France 24 news channel, according to reports from Agence France Presse.
Shalit was captured by Palestinian gunmen near the Gaza Strip on June 25.
"I am convinced we must free the soldier Shalit. He cannot remain imprisoned all this time", he said in the interview.
"At the same time, we say to the Israelis that they must free the Palestinian prisoners. But one thing does not depend on the other. Shalit must be released."
According to AFP, Abbas also said he was "certain" that abducted British BBC correspondent Alan Johnston was alive and would be "released shortly".
AFP also suggested that Johnston's abductors, whose identity remains unknown, have revealed certain conditions on his release. "We are in permanent contact with the British government, with the foreign ministry. We have discussed with them the conditions of his (Johnston's) kidnapping and his release", Abbas said.
"We are progressing step by step and I am absolutely certain that he will be released shortly, and of course, that he will go home", the Palestinian president said.
Johnston, 44, is now in his fourth week of captivity after he was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on March 12. This represents the longest period a Westerner has been kept kidnapped in Gaza.
Johnston was the BBC's Gaza correspondent and the only Western journalist based permanently in the Strip. His posting in Gaza was due to end in April 2007.
Palestinians journalists have staged rallies in the West Bank and Gaza calling on Palestinian leaders to take greater action to secure Johnston's release. Many journalists even boycotted reporting on all government activities for three days.
Yousef Alhelou
Yousef Alhelou is a freelance Palestinian journalist based in Gaza. He can be contacted on ydamadan@hotmail.com
Please also see:
Fresh protests for BBC reporter
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6534273.stm
Three Iraqi journalists killed in three days in Baghdad
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=21623
Findings of investigation impatiently awaited
six months after Anna Politkovskaya’s murder
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=21596