BBC correspondent kidnapped in Gaza - police

GAZA, Mar 12 (Reuters) A BBC correspondent was kidnapped in the Gaza Strip today by unknown assailants, Palestinian police sources said.

The sources identified the journalist as the BBC's Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston, and said his rental car was found abandoned in Gaza City.

Johnston is a British citizen.

BBC officials in Jerusalem had no immediate comment. The British Embassy said it was checking into the reports.

The last foreigner to be kidnapped in Gaza was a Peruvian photographer from the French news agency Agence France-Presse in early January.

The AFP photographer was released unharmed after nearly one week in captivity.

Reuters PDM DB2127