Paris, March 23 (NNN-KUNA) Reporters Without Borders has called for intensified campaigns for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston who was has been missing since March 12 in the Gaza Strip.

A statement for the worldwide press freedom organisation said here, "It is 10 days now that we have had no news of Alan Johnston. We express solidarity with his family and his news organisation, who are living with terrible anxiety."

It added that "the positive outcome of previous kidnappings of journalists on the Gaza Strip does not in any way give reason for passivity."

It stressed the urgency "to keep campaigning for his earliest possible release."

Campaigning is being intensified in Gaza for the release of Johnston, where Palestinian journalists went on a 24-hour strike two days ago and a number of Palestinian news agencies posted a banner on their websites urging his release, in response to a call made by Reporters Without Borders.

The British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett declared recently that all communication channels have been open "to speed up the release of the journalist," while EU Secretary General Javier Solana also affirmed the EU's commitment to resolve the case.

Johnston's father also appealed to those who abducted his son through the BCC, which was spread by the Palestinian TV stations, saying that their action was "no way to treat a friend of the Palestinian people. This holding Alan is not doing the Palestinian people any favour, quite the opposite. All I can say to the men who are holding Alan is please let my son go, now, today."