American kidnapped from Lahore calls on Obama to help

ISLAMABAD: An elderly American development worker kidnapped from Lahore has appeared in a new video, appealing to President Obama to negotiate his release after more than two years in captivity.

In the 13-minute video received Thursday by The Associated Press, Warren Weinstein says he feels "abandoned."

Weinstein was Pakistan country director for a US-based firm that advises Pakistani business and government sectors.

He was abducted in August 2011 at his home in Lahore.

Al-Qaida claimed responsibility.

The video and an accompanying letter purportedly written by Weinstein were emailed anonymously to reporters. The video was labelled "As-Sahab," which is al-Qaida´s media wing.

There was no way to verify its authenticity or when it was made. (AP)