BBC man's abductors renew threat

Alan Johnston has been held since 12 March

The kidnappers of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have renewed their threat to kill him if their demands for Muslim prisoners to be freed are not met.

The message comes a day after a video was released in which Mr Johnston wore what he said was an explosives belt.

In the tape, the reporter said his captors had promised to detonate it if force was used to try to free him.

Mr Johnston was abducted in Gaza on 12 March by the previously unknown radical Islamist group, The Army of Islam.

We are aware of the reports, and we are watching them closely BBC spokesman

"The demands are very clear," Tuesday's statement from the militants said - listing the names of prisoners it wants released.

They include Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born Islamic cleric held by the UK government, who is suspected of having close links with al-Qaeda and is considered a threat to national security.

"There is no discussion or bargaining in this issue," the statement said.

The BBC said it was monitoring developments.

"We are aware of the reports, and we are watching them closely," a spokesman said.

Release efforts

A Foreign Office spokesman said the department condemned the kidnappers' threats, which only served to "further distress Mr Johnston's family and friends".

Palestinian group Hamas has said it is working to free Mr Johnston.

Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for Ismail Haniya, leader of Hamas and the former Palestinian prime minister, told the Associated Press news agency that Hamas officials were trying to get Mr Johnston released at the "soonest possible opportunity".

Mr Johnston, from Scotland, was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza and his abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and human rights groups around the world.

More than 180,000 people have signed an online petition calling for his release.