Alan Johnston released
Alan Johnston was released by his kidnappers overnight
Wednesday, 04, Jul 2007 08:24
BBC journalist Alan Johnston has been freed almost four months after he was kidnapped in Gaza.
At a press conference the 45-year-old correspondent said that he "dreamt many times of being free again" during his time in captivity.
Mr Johnston, who appeared alongside Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, described his 16 weeks as a hostage as the "very worst" in his life and said that being held was "like being buried alive".
The reporter, who was kidnapped from Gaza City on March 12th, described his captors as "dangerous and unpredictable" but said that he had not been tortured by them.
Questioned by fellow journalists later he did however admit that they "knocked him about a bit" when driving him to freedom.
Mr Johnston's release comes after Hamas officials warned the journalist's captors that they would release him by force unless he was freed.
The kidnappers released three videos, two of which pictured the BBC correspondent, during his time in captivity and threatened to kill him if their demand for Britain to free Muslim prisoners was not met.
Speaking about those who held him hostage, Mr Johnston said that his kidnappers appeared to be "comfortable and secure" in their operation until Hamas seized control of the security situation in Gaza.
Militants loyal to Hamas, which was elected to run the Palestinian government in parliamentary elections 18 months ago, last month overran Gaza and seized control of the territory from rival political group Fatah – which has the backing of Western nations.
Mr Johnston said that he was aware that Hamas had put a "huge amount" of pressure on his captors to release him and said that he thought he would have been held for longer if the security situation in Gaza had not changed.
The reporter also revealed that he had been aware of the "extraordinary support" shown for his release around the world after listening to the BBC on a radio he obtained after two weeks in captivity.
Rallies were held across the world calling for Mr Johnston's release, while an online petition was signed by some 200,000 people.
In a statement welcoming his freedom Mr Johnston's family said that they were "overjoyed" he was safe.
A BBC statement after his release said his colleagues at the corporation were "delighted and extremely relieved" at the "wonderful news"
"We thank all of those who worked tirelessly - here and in the wider Middle East - to secure his freedom," the statement said.