BBC's Johnston 'in good health'

Mr Ahmad met the UK's consul-general to Jerusalem, Richard Makepeace, in Ramallah to discuss the efforts being made to secure Mr Johnston's release.

The 44-year-old reporter has not been seen since he was seized at gunpoint.

A BBC News website petition has now registered its 50,000th name in support of Mr Johnston.

Multi-faith vigil

Mr Ahmad's office said in a statement: "The information that we have indicates that Johnston is in good health.

"The [Palestinian] government is fully co-ordinating with the presidency and all security services to pursue the extensive efforts to release Johnston and bring him back safely to his home, family and his work."

A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.

BBC director general Mark Thompson told a British parliamentary committee: "We do not have firm information about his whereabouts or his state of health and Alan's family and the BBC remain increasingly concerned that such a long period has gone by without any firm word."

On Monday, a number of vigils were held across the UK to mark six weeks since the BBC's Gaza correspondent was abducted.

A multi-faith service was held at a London church and Alan's sister Katriona Johnston joined BBC Scotland staff for a vigil in Glasgow.

Pakistani journalists and foreign correspondents protested in Islamabad calling for Mr Johnston's release.

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