Hamas has condemned a radical Palestinian group claiming to be holding BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped in Gaza nearly two months ago.
Hamas, the senior partner in the Palestinian government, declared it no longer had ties with Jeish al-Islam, or Army of Islam, which released a tape demanding the release of a radical Muslim cleric jailed in Britain.
In the recording, the Army of Islam said it was responsible for the 12 March abduction.
The BBC said it was studying the contents of a tape purportedly from the kidnappers of Mr Johnston, but declined to comment further.
The tape, which was sent to the Al Jazeera television service, accompanied by what seems to be Mr Johnston's BBC identity card, demands that Britain releases all Muslim prisoners it is holding.
The message specifically names Abu Qatada, once described by a Spanish judge as al-Qaeda's 'spiritual head' in Europe. He was imprisoned in Britain in August 2005 as part of a crackdown against Islamist extremism after the London suicide bombings which left 56 people dead.
He is currently fighting extradition to Jordan.
Mr Johnston disappeared eight weeks ago after leaving his office.
