DESPERATE PLEA

Al Qaeda's U.S. Captive Begs for Help

Asks Obama to negotiate freedom in video.

Al Qaeda released a video on Christmas of a U.S. government contractor pleading for President Obama to negotiate for his freedom. Warren Weinstein, who was kidnapped from his home in Pakistan in August 2011, said in the video that he feels “totally abandoned and forgotten” by the U.S. The 72 year old, who looks significantly older and more worn down than in previous videos the terrorist group has released, noted that his health is waning, and that his captors have agreed to let his family visit him if Obama permits members of al Qaeda held in the U.S. to receive visits from their relatives. The White House has not yet responded to the video, which was released by The Washington Post, but officials have said in the past that the U.S. will not negotiate with al Qaeda.