Renewed threats against Johnston

Updated 22.12 Tue Jun 26 2007

Keywords: Gaza, Alan Johnston, Army of Islam

The group holding kidnapped journalist Alan Johnston have threatened to "slaughter" the correspondent if its demands are not met.

Palestinian group the Army of Islam is said to have sent a statement to reporters in Gaza warning that the BBC journalist will be "slaughtered like a sheep".

Palestinian group the Army of Islam is said to have sent a statement to reporters in Gaza warning that the BBC journalist will be "slaughtered like a sheep"

The group demanded the release of a prisoner in Jordan and described the arrest by Hamas of two of its members as a "declaration of war."

The statement follows the release of a video message from Johnston on Monday.

In it the Gaza correspondent is wearing what he says is an explosive belt and he warns that it will be detonated if there is an attempt to storm the group's hideout.

Johnston, 45, has spent more than 100 days in captivity since his abduction on March 12.