American Kidnapped in Pakistan Says He’s ‘Forgotten And Abandoned’

Warren Weinstein, 72, was abducted more than two years ago

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An American development worker who was kidnapped in Pakistan more than two years ago says in a video released Thursday that he feels “totally forgotten and abandoned” by the U.S. government.

Warren Weinstein, 72, was the country director for a U.S.-based consulting firm when he was abducted by al-Qaeda from his home in Lahore in August 2011. He last appeared in two videos in September 2012. Weinstein says in the latest video that his health is deteriorating and appeals to President Barack Obama to negotiate for his release. It’s unclear to what extent Weinstein is speaking under duress.

The video was released anonymously to reporters, including the Associated Press, along with a letter dated Oct. 3. The video is labeled “as-Sahab,” the name of al-Qaeda’s media wing, though its authenticity could not be independently verified, the AP reports.

Al-Qaeda has said it would release Weinstein if the U.S. ended airstrikes in the region and released al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners.

See the video below.

[AP]