Hamas chief Meshaal hails BBC man's release

GAZA, July 4 (Reuters) The leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, said today the freeing of BBC journalist Alan Johnston showed his Islamist movement had brought order to the Gaza Strip by seizing power in the territory last month.

''We have been able to close this chapter which has harmed the image of our people greatly. The efforts by Hamas have produced the freedom of Alan Johnston,'' Meshaal told Reuters by telephone from Syria.

Referring to his Western-backed secular Palestinian rivals Fatah, he said: ''It showed the difference between the era in which a group used to encourage and commit security anarchy and chaos and the current situation in which Hamas is seeking to stabilise security.'' Hamas forces routed those of Fatah, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to take full control of Gaza last month.

Meshaal lives in exile in Damascus while Ismail Haniyeh runs the movement in the Gaza Strip.

''The release of Alan was the fruit of continued efforts we had exerted as a movement and a government during past months,'' said Meshaal.

''The issue has represented a national, moral and humanitarian case for us. Thank God these efforts have succeeded tonight to secure the freedom of Alan Johnston.

''We had expressed our regret in the name of the Palestinian people at the abduction of the respected journalist Alan Johnston, which represented an offence to our people.

''Today we celebrate with Johnston's family, the BBC and our people the freedom of Alan Johnston.'' REUTERS DKS RAI0710