A video of French hostage Serge Lazarevic, appealing to France's President Francois Hollande to negotiate his release after two years in captivity in the Sahara, was aired by Dubai-based Akhbar Al Aan TV on Tuesday, reports Reuters.
In the video, Lazarevic wore a black turban and had a long gray beard. Lazarevic said he had been kidnapped by al Qaeda's North African wing, AQIM, and appeared in front of two gunmen, whose faces were concealed by turbans.
"I take this opportunity today May 13, 2014, to call on Francois Hollande, the president of France, to do everything to negotiate my release," he said, speaking in French.
Akhbar Al Aan TV, which is based in the United Arab Emirates, said Lazarevic was ill and a full video would be aired later in the day. Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
The French Foreign Ministry said the video was being verified and had no further comment. Lazarevic is the last of a series of French hostages held by militants in the region.
Read more of this report from Reuters.