SECRETARY-GENERAL, RELIEVED AT FREEING OF BBC CORRESPONDENT, CALLS

FOR EARLIEST RELEASE OF OTHERS SIMILARLY ABDUCTED, DETAINED

The following statement was issued yesterday, 4 July, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is profoundly relieved at the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston after his ordeal of 16 weeks in captivity in Gaza.

He pays tribute to Mr. Johnston’s dignity and resilience in captivity.  He acknowledges the work of all parties concerned in securing Mr. Johnston’s release -- a crucial reminder of the need to protect not only the freedom, but also the security and safety, of the media around the world.

The Secretary-General calls for the earliest release, without conditions, of those abducted and detained in similar circumstances.

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For information media • not an official record