'All efforts' in hunt for BBC man

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6483569.stm

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Every possible effort is being made to secure the release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, a Palestinian presidential aide has said.

Mr Johnston disappeared on 12 March and is thought to have been abducted.

Palestinian journalists, legislators and Gaza residents held more protests on Thursday to call for his release.

The Arab League, the EU and the UK government as well as international journalists' groups have also demanded that he be freed immediately.

The BBC has said it is increasingly concerned about Mr Johnston's safety.

Respected reporter

Alan Johnston has been the BBC's correspondent in the Gaza Strip for the past three years - and the only foreign journalist from a major media organisation based in Gaza.

The BBC describes him as a highly experienced and respected reporter.

Aged 44, he was born in Tanzania and educated in Scotland.

He joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

His Gaza posting is due to come to an end at the end of this month.