Call for action from Palestinian factions in support of Jaime Razuri's release

Reporters Without Borders has written to the various Palestinian factions calling for “everyone to get involved” in obtaining Razuri's release. The letter said: “When we met last month, you insisted on the importance of the work of journalists who come to cover the situation in the Palestinian territories, and on the need to ensure their safety. We shared with you our concern about the alarming developments in 2006, including the abductions of six foreign journalists. We continue to be extremely concerned following this latest kidnapping of a journalist, which took place in the middle of the afternoon in the city centre. Everyone needs to get involved, so that Jaime Razuri can be released as soon as possible.” Peruvian foreign minister Jose Garcia Belaunde has said Razuri's abduction was the work of “a dissident Hamas group.” Without giving the source of his information, he also said Razuri was “in good health.” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum responded: “There is no dissident Hamas group. This kind of action is not part of our culture or ideology. We have condemned it and we will deploy every effort to discover the identify of the kidnappers.” Peruvian deputy foreign minister Gonzalo Gutierrez travelled to the Gaza Strip today to meet with the Palestinian authorities, AFP executives and French government representatives with a view to coordinating efforts.