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PM Welcomes Release of BBC Journalist
Gordon Brown has welcomed the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston after 114 days in captivity.
Speaking to MPs in his first Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Brown said:
"The whole country will welcome the news that Alan Johnston, a fearless journalist whose voice was silenced for too long, is now free.
"I want to thank all those who contributed to the diplomatic and other efforts to secure his freedom.''
In an earlier written statement, Mr Brown said that the "good news" would come as a "great relief" to the family and friends of the Middle East correspondent, and to all those who had "worked to see him freed".
Read the Statement
Mr Johnston was abducted in Gaza on 12 March by a group calling itself the Army of Islam. At one point a video was released showing the reporter allegedly wearing a belt packed with explosives.
It is believed that Hamas, the dominant political force in Gaza, put pressure on the abductors to release the BBC man in recent weeks.
Go to the FCO website
ENDS
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