The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he is convinced BBC journalist Alan Johnston is still alive, despite the lack of contact with him since his abduction in Gaza last month.
Abbas' comments follow the claim last week by an Islamic group that it had killed Johnston.During a visit to Sweden Abbas said that Johnston's abductors had been identified, although authorities have not yet been in contact with the group.
A relatively unknown group called the Tawhid and Jihad Brigades sent an email to media organisations on Sunday saying that it had killed the BBC reporter, and was planning to later release a video of the murder.
Abbas said: "Our intelligence services have confirmed to me that he is alive. I want to acquire his release alive. Therefore it is taking some time."
Christians across the UK are praying for Johnston. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, held a special prayer vigil to end violence in the Middle East and particularly for the safe release of Johnston from his abductors in Gaza.
Dr Sentamu said he aimed his prayers at all "those who think violence is the answer to the problems of the Middle East".
He added that Johnston "represented all those who put their lives at risk in an attempt to inform the wider world of the daily dangers faced by those in places such as Palestine".
In further developments, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas explained that the abductors did not have political motives but had "personal demands".
Haniyeh added that the British Government had firmly requested that Palestinian authorities should not try to free Johnston using force, as it is believed this method would further endanger his life.
Abbas told reporters: "We know these people and we want Johnston safe and I think the less we talk about it the more we provide for his safety."
He did not, however, confirm if the Tawhid and Jihad Brigades were the ones holding the journalist.
