Hamas pledges to free BBC reporter by force

Gaza: Hamas has issued an ultimatum to the Palestinian militants holding BBC reporter Alan Johnston in the Gaza Strip, threatening to free him by force if he was not released by the end of the day.

A senior Hamas official said on Monday, "If he is not released, we would use all means to secure his life and to free him."

The official added, "Today is the last day for the captors to release Alan Johnston."

The Army of Islam, the group holding Johnston, has demanded that Britain free Muslim prisoners, particularly Islamist cleric Abu Qatada, in return for his release.

Johnston, who turned 45 in captivity last month, is the only Western correspondent based full-time in the Gaza Strip.