Alan Johnston is freed

After 114 days Alan has been released. Alan's release was achieved through negotiation and pressure bought to bear by Hamas. This kind of negotiation which did not break down into warfare shows that there is still hope for the region and that things can be achieved when people talk.

It would be naive of anyone to think this heralds a new era of peace in the middle east but after recent violence in the area where it has seemed there was no hope for the future there is now a glimmer of hope.

For a quote about the whole affair I shall leave it to Alan himself:

[One of his first acts after his release]
"...going to the barbers and getting rid of that just-kidnapped look"

-Alan Johnston, BBC Gaza correspondent.