Kidnapped Briton on video
The hostage video was broadcast on al-Arabiya television
Tuesday, 04, Dec 2007 08:27
A video purportedly showing one of five Britons kidnapped in Iraq has been aired on Arabic TV.
The British man was shown in front of a banner during the broadcast and talks of feeling "forgotten" by his country.
Five UK civilians were kidnapped in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad in May this year, with the finger of blame pointed at Shia militants.
One of those kidnapped is thought to be an IT expert, while the other four are understood to be security personnel.
They were kidnapped from the country's finance ministry, which lies outside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone.
Reports at the time suggest the kidnappers entered a conference room at the Iraqi finance ministry, shouting: "Where are the foreigners? Where are the foreigners?"
The video aired on al-Arabiya television is dated November 18th and features a message from the hostage-takers for British troops to be pulled out of Iraq within ten days.
The kidnappers also pledge to kill the hostage broadcast on the video as a "first warning" if their demands are not met.
In the footage the kidnapped man, who says his name is Jason, is heard speaking as two masked hostage-takers point guns at him.
"Today is November 18th," he says. "I have been here now 173 days and I feel we've been forgotten."
Reports suggest the banner the hostage was filmed in front of was that of the Shia Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed that the government had been told that the video was set for broadcast and had informed the families prior to it being aired.
He added that as far as the department knew it was the first time the footage has been seen publicly.
"We condemn the publication of this video which serves only to add to the distress of the men's families and friends," he said.
"Since day one of the kidnap consular officials have remained in regular contact with the families
"No matter what the cause, hostage-taking can never be justified. We again call on those holding the men to release them unconditionally."