Palestinian militants say they hold BBC reporter

Palestinian militants say they hold BBC reporter

If verified, the audio message would be the first time Johnston's captors have made public demands and provided new evidence that al-Qaida is making inroads in the Gaza Strip.

The Army of Islam demanded the British government "release our prisoners and particularly Sheik Abu Qatada the Palestinian" in exchange for Alan Johnston, 44. Abu Qatada, a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, is accused of having links to al-Qaida, and is awaiting deportation to Jordan from Britain.

Johnston, a British Broadcasting Corp. correspondent, was kidnapped on March 12 in Gaza City and has not been seen or heard from since. There were claims by a previously unknown group that he was killed, but no proof was ever provided.

A copy of the recording also was left at the Gaza City office of the Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera, although it did not broadcast the tape.

The posting shows a large picture of Johnston's BBC press card — the strongest evidence yet that the Army of Islam is holding him. However, the tape did not include any signs of life from Johnston, such as footage or recordings of his voice.

The Army of Islam's claim could not be verified, but the group — which has loose ties to Hamas and other militant groups — was involved in the June 2006 capture of Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

It is headed by members of a powerful Gaza clan, the Doghmushes, widely believed responsible for several kidnappings of foreigners in Gaza. A family member tied to the group declined comment.

The recording was posted on a Web site often used by al-Qaida and its branch in Iraq. Other militant groups also have used the site, though Palestinian militants rarely do.

The 20-minute recording includes a fiery diatribe against the West, accompanied by a slideshow that includes images from the war in Iraq, Muslim prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and Western soldiers praying before a cross. Islamic music plays in the background, and pictures glorifying Abu Qatada are repeatedly shown.

"It is a must for Muslims to mobilize against this vicious crusade against Islam's nation ... and throughout this war and actions, we will not sit idly watching our Muslim brothers being tortured with the worse torture inside the infidels' prisons. Thus we have managed to take the Briton Alan Johnston as a prisoner."

Israeli and Palestinian security officials have warned in recent months that they fear al-Qaida is trying to infiltrate the Gaza Strip, though the extent of the inroads remains unclear.

The large Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have said their struggle is only against Israel, and not against the West.

BBC Deputy Director-General Mark Byford said the network remained deeply concerned for Johnston's safety.

"Fifty-nine days after he was abducted, our sole concern is for Alan's welfare, and for that of his family. What we and they want more than anything else is Alan's safe return," he said:

"We of course welcome any sign that Alan may be alive and well. We profoundly hope that today's news may be a sign that Alan will soon be safely released."

A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office said the government wanted to review the tape before commenting on its contents.

"A video such as this is very distressing to Alan's family, friends and colleagues," the spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.

"We are looking into this as a matter of urgency, in particular we are continuing to work closely with the Palestinian Authority in order to establish the facts and to try and secure Alan's safe release."

The tape was released hours after a senior British diplomat met with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to discuss Johnston's case. Haniyeh, of the Islamic militant group Hamas, has called for Johnston's release.

Haniyeh's spokesman, Ghazi Hamad, said he could not verify the recording.

"According to the tape, yes they are they kidnappers ... but we haven't confirmed this yet," he said.

Gaza-based security analyst Shaker Shabat said the recording appeared authentic, but said the extent of the al-Qaida connection remained unclear.

He said, for instance, a local group might be trying to gain favor with al-Qaida to get funding. "Their demands tell the outside the world that they are related to al-Qaida."