WASHINGTON: The US State Department urged Al Qaeda on Thursday to immediately release an American they captured in Pakistan more than two years ago.

The statement followed the release of a video earlier on Thursday which showed Warren Weinstein appealing to US President Barack Obama to negotiate his release.

“We’re working hard to authenticate this latest report, but we reiterate our call that Warren Weinstein be released and returned to his family,” State Department Deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told Fox News. “Particularly during this holiday season -- another one away from his family -- our hopes and prayers are with him and those who love and miss him.”

In the video, the first since two videos were released in September 2012, Mr Weinstein said he felt “totally abandoned and forgotten”.

Mr Weinstein, the country director in Pakistan for a US firm J.E. Austin Associates, was abducted from his house in Lahore in August 2011.

“Nine years ago I came to Pakistan to help my government, and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here, and now when I need my government it seems that I have been totally abandoned and forgotten,” he said. Addressing President Obama, he said: “And so I again appeal to you to instruct your appropriate officials to negotiate my release”.

Journalists in Pakistan received an electronic copy of the video and an accompanying letter by email. The accompany letter said the video was released by “as-Sahab”, which is Al Qaeda’s media wing.