Johnston's status still a mystery to BBC

LONDON, March 21 (UPI) -- The BBC said Wednesday that despite its cooperation with authorities in Gaza, it has no "firm knowledge" regarding kidnapped journalist Alan Johnston's status.

The BBC admitted that despite its efforts to work with Palestinian authorities, the investigation into the March 12 abduction of one of its correspondents has not borne fruit, the London Press Gazette reported.

"We continue to work tirelessly with the authorities in Gaza and elsewhere to try to locate Alan," the BBC said. "However, despite the assurances that we've received about his welfare, we still do not have any firm knowledge regarding his condition or his whereabouts."

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, which has been condemned by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

The paper said that the lack of information about Johnston's status has his father concerned, who told the Press Gazette that his son recognized the risk associated with working in Gaza.

"He was enjoying the job immensely, he had made friends with many Palestinians, although he did warn us that there was a possibility of being abducted, it went with the territory," Graham Johnston said.