RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he has credible evidence that a British Broadcasting Corp. journalist kidnapped a month ago in the Gaza Strip was safe and well, the BBC's top executive said Thursday.
Alan Johnston was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on March 12. There has been no sign of life from him since, and no word from his captors. No other foreigner has been held in Gaza as long.
BBC director general Mark Thompson appealed for Johnston's release at a news conference in the West Bank town of Ramallah. He said he had met with Abbas on Wednesday and discussed the case.
"He told me that he had credible evidence that Alan was safe and well," Thompson said.
Thompson's appeal was part of a daylong calendar of international events meant to dramatize the 44-year-old journalist's plight, including a statement from his parents at a London news conference and an unprecedented joint broadcast by the BBC, Sky and Al-Jazeera.
"You have families. Please think about what this is doing to my family, including in particular the distress and deep, deep concern Alan's mother and sister have had to endure for all these long weeks," Johnston's father, Graham Johnston, said in a message to his son's abductors.
"As I have said before, please let my son go. Now. Today!"
The joint broadcast, anchored by the BBC in Ramallah, and reported by Sky, BBC, Al-Jazeera and CNN, featured stories about Johnston's life and the dangers journalists covering Gaza face. It also highlighted efforts by the British government, Gaza journalists and others to secure Johnston's release.
Thompson said there have been no contacts with Johnston's captors, and no demands from them.
"It is vital for all journalists to be able to report freely and without fear of harassment and intimidation," he told the news conference in Ramallah.
"I appeal to all those who may have influence with the kidnappers to use their best endeavors to secure Alan's release, safely and speedily, and to ensure his return to his family and friends as quickly as possible," he said.
Abbas confidant Saeb Erekat said the president "has been reassured by many sources that Mr. Johnston is alive." Abbas is doing his best to obtain Johnston's release, he added.
"I feel ashamed of this despicable act," he told Sky News. "We condemn it with the strongest possible terms."
Thompson said he did not know why the case was taking so long to resolve. More than a dozen foreign journalists and aid workers have been abducted by Gaza gunmen in the past 18 months, often in a bid to wrest money or jobs. Most have been released unharmed within hours or days.
The one exception was the abduction of two Fox News employees in August, which lasted two weeks before they were freed unharmed.
In Gaza, about 200 Palestinian journalists, some carrying posters that said "Free Alan," held a rally simultaneously with the news conference.
"We are disappointed by presidential and governmental foot-dragging on the release of our kidnapped colleague, said Sakher Abu-Owan, a Palestinian journalist. "Our concern over Alan's safety is growing every day."
The journalists then drove through the streets of Gaza City in cars plastered with posters of Johnston.
