Journalist warns against rescue

IN a video released yesterday, a kidnapped British journalist appeared with what he said were explosives strapped to his body and warned his captors intend to set them off if rescuers attempt to free him by force.

The tape of Alan Johnston, called Alan’s Appeal, was put on a website used in the past by militant groups to post messages. It was made by the Army of Islam, a shadowy group that claimed responsibility for snatching Mr Johnston, a correspondent with the BBC, from a Gaza City street on March 12.

“Captors tell me that very promising negotiations were ruined when the Hamas movement and the British government decided to press for a military solution to this kidnapping,” Mr Johnston said, looking nervous and under stress. “And the situation is now very serious, as you can see.”