An American contractor who was kidnapped two years ago in Pakistan by al-Qaida has appealed to U.S. President Barack Obama to help negotiate his release.

In a 13-minute video sent to several media outlets on Thursday, Warren Weinstein, 72, looks gaunt and tired. He says he is not in good health and feels "totally abandoned and forgotten".

Weinstein was abducted from his house in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore in August 2011.

The video, which showed no obvious signs of when it had been recorded, was created by al-Sahab, the media wing of al-Qaida. A handwritten letter that appeared to have been drafted by Weinstein and was dated Oct. 3, 2013 was distributed along with the video.

Al-Qaida says it will release Weinstein if the U.S. halts airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. It has also demanded the release of all al-Qaida and Taliban suspects around the world.

The White House has called for Weinstein's release, but says it will not negotiate with al-Qaida.

两年前在巴基斯坦被基地组织绑架的一名美国合同工吁请美国总统奥巴马帮助他获释。

在星期四分发给几个新闻机构的一段13分钟视频中，72岁的沃伦·温斯坦看起来憔悴和疲倦。他说，他的身体不好，感到“完全被抛弃被遗忘”。

温斯坦是2011年8月从他在巴基斯坦东部城市拉合尔的家中被绑架的。

从视频上无法判断录制的时间。这段视频是基地组织的媒体部门录制的。一封手写的信看起来是温斯坦起草的，这封与视频一起分发的信件的日期为2013年10月3日。

基地组织说，如果美国停止在阿富汗、巴基斯坦、索马里和也门的空袭，并且释放世界各地所有基地组织和塔利班嫌疑人，他们就释放温斯坦。

白宫呼吁释放温斯坦，但表示不与基地组织谈判。