'It seems that I have been totally abandoned and forgotten': New video shows American worker, 72, pleading for help from President Obama after being abducted by al-Qaeda in Pakistan two years ago

Warren Weinstein, 72, was kidnapped by al-Qaeda in August 2011

At the time, Weinstein was living and working as a consultant in Lahore, Pakistan

In the video released Thursday, Weisntein appeals to President Obama to help secure his release

It was the first sign in more than a year that Weinstein is still alive

The 72-year-old U.S. constractor who was kidnapped by al-Qaeda in Pakistan more than two years ago has issued a video statement asking President Obama to secure his release.

The video is the first evidence in over a year that Warren Weinstein is still alive.

He was kidnapped in August 2011 while living and working in Lahore, Pakistan and as the country director of J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S. firm that advises a range of Pakistani business and government sectors.

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Help me: A new video released by al-Qaeda shows 72-year-old U.S. hostage Warren Weinstein making a personal appeal to President Obama to help secure his release Still alive: The video released Thursday was the first sign in more than a year that Weinstein is still alive. He released two videos in September 2012 previously and seems to have aged significantly since then



In the video released to the Washington Post and other media outlets, Weinstein seems to have aged considerably since he recorded two videos in September 2012. In an accompanying letter, Weinstein writes that given his health and age, time is not on his side.

He appeals to President Obama as a father, asking him to negotiate with the terrorists holding him hostage so that he can be reunited wit his family.

Abroad: In August 2011, Weinstein was working as the country director of J.E. Austin Associates - a U.S. firm that advises a range of Pakistani business and government sectors

'You are a family man and so you understand the deep mental anxiety and anguish that I have been experiencing for these past more than two years,' he says.

'I came to Pakistan to help my government and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here. And now when I need my government, it seems that I have been totally abandoned and forgotten,' Weinstein said during the 13-minute video. 'And so I again appeal to you to instruct your appropriate officials to negotiate my release.'



The video and an accompanying letter purported to be from Weinstein was emailed anonymously to reporters in Pakistan.



The video was labelled 'As-Sahab,' which is al-Qaeda's media wing, but its authenticity could not be independently verified. The letter was dated October 3, 2013 and in the video Weinstein said he had been in captivity for two years.

In the video, Weinstein wore a grey track suit jacket and what appeared to be a black knit hat on his head. His face was partially covered with a beard.

Al-Qaeda has said Weinstein would be released if the U.S. halted airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen and also demanded the release of all al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects around the world.

The White House has called for Weinstein's immediate release but has said it won't negotiate with al-Qaeda.

The videos last year showed Weinstein appealing for help from the Jewish community and Israel's prime minister.