Hamas in talks for Johnston release

Negotiations were said to be taking place on Friday night between Hamas and the Gaza correspondent's captors through a mediator.

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeideh reportedly told a news conference that the group would not allow attacks on journalists or foreigners "because they are helping our people".

An official involved in the talks reportedly said earlier on Saturday night that those holding the BBC correspondent had pledged to release him within 24 hours.

The claims came amid growing concern for the 45-year-old's safety as Palestine slid further into crisis after a week of bloody fighting which has seen Hamas seize control from president Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.

The Foreign Office has been forced to revise its advice for travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories because of a "deterioration in the security situation". It said there was a high threat from terrorism to tourists visiting Israel, and it would be "reckless" to travel to Gaza because of the threat of kidnap.

British diplomats said they were worried about the circumstances of Mr Johnston, who was kidnapped in Gaza City more than three months ago. Last month, an extremist group posted a video of him on the internet.

The journalist from Argyll said he had been treated well and was in good health but he also went on to criticise the British Government's foreign policy in the Middle East.

A BBC spokeswoman said on Friday: "We are aware of the reports, but have not received any firm confirmation of Alan's situation." She added: "We continue to work with everyone involved to try to effect Alan's safe release."

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has insisted Hamas should not be allowed to reap political benefits from their apparent victory and rejected claims that the international community was to blame for the violence, in which more than 100 people have died, because it has refused to deal with Hamas. "This is the fault of people in Hamas who want control, not partnership," she said.