Spokesmen for both Hamas and the Army of Islam said Wednesday that they would continue to work together despite recent tension over the kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who was released earlier in the day. Hamas insisted that the Army of Islam release Johnston, and at one point surrounded a building in which Johnston was held and arrested several Army of Islam terrorists.
Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha said that the Army of Islam would not be forced to disarm following the kidnapping. He praised the group for agreeing to listen to a local sheikh who called for Johnston’s release.