LONDON, June 19, 2007 (AFP) - The Islamist group Hamas, which new controls Gaza, told the BBC that it had set a Monday deadline for the radical Palestinian group holding BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston to release him.

Mahmud Zahar, the former Palestinian foreign minister who is also a leader of Hamas, told the BBC's Arabic Service that "Alan Johnston was discussed with the kidnappers."

"They have been given a deadline of today, Monday, to respond. They will be contacted, they may have already been contacted, for his release. If he is not released then the role of the current government is to work for his release, safe and sound," Zahar was quoted as saying on the BBC News website.

Johnston was snatched by gunmen from his car as he drove home from work on March 12 in Gaza City.

In a statement made on Sunday, the Army of Islam denied reports that it had reached a deal for his liberation, with a spokesman also telling reporters: "If we do not reach an agreement and the situation worsens for us, we will have to turn to God and have no choice but to slit the throat of the journalist."

Britain on Sunday renewed its call for Johnston's immediate release.

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