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Mali hostage daughter's 'shock' at jihadist video Mali hostage daughter's 'shock' at jihadist video
(25 days later)
The daughter of a French hostage kidnapped by jihadists in Mali has spoken of her shock after he appeared in a video clip pleading for his release.The daughter of a French hostage kidnapped by jihadists in Mali has spoken of her shock after he appeared in a video clip pleading for his release.
Diane Lazarevic told French radio she was worried about the health of her 50-year-old father, Serge, who she said appeared frail and thin.Diane Lazarevic told French radio she was worried about the health of her 50-year-old father, Serge, who she said appeared frail and thin.
Mr Lazarevic was snatched by the jihadists in November 2011.Mr Lazarevic was snatched by the jihadists in November 2011.
A second hostage, Dutchman Sjaak Rijke, appeared in the video alongside him.A second hostage, Dutchman Sjaak Rijke, appeared in the video alongside him.
The video of the pair, posted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was unearthed by terrorism monitoring group Site.The video of the pair, posted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was unearthed by terrorism monitoring group Site.
It shows Mr Lazarevic in a dark headscarf and thick beard standing in front of a truck with a black jihadist banner behind him.It shows Mr Lazarevic in a dark headscarf and thick beard standing in front of a truck with a black jihadist banner behind him.
Speaking in French, he says that his "life is in danger since France intervened in Iraq".Speaking in French, he says that his "life is in danger since France intervened in Iraq".
He also urges President Francois Hollande to secure his release.He also urges President Francois Hollande to secure his release.
Family members say Mr Lazarevic was kidnapped while he was scouting possible sites for a cement factory.Family members say Mr Lazarevic was kidnapped while he was scouting possible sites for a cement factory.
He was taken alongside fellow Frenchman Philippe Verdon, who was shot dead by AQIM in March 2012. He was taken alongside fellow Frenchman Philippe Verdon, who was shot dead by AQIM in March 2013.
Mr Lazarevic is the last remaining French hostage anywhere in the world.Mr Lazarevic is the last remaining French hostage anywhere in the world.
Mr Hollande's office confirmed the video was genuine, saying it offered "proof of life" and that officials were doing everything they could to secure Mr Lazarevic's release.Mr Hollande's office confirmed the video was genuine, saying it offered "proof of life" and that officials were doing everything they could to secure Mr Lazarevic's release.
'Government responsible''Government responsible'
In an interview with France's RTL radio, his daughter said she hoped he would be home by Christmas.In an interview with France's RTL radio, his daughter said she hoped he would be home by Christmas.
She added: "I was very shocked to see him and it's been very trying to see him like that - very thin and weak".She added: "I was very shocked to see him and it's been very trying to see him like that - very thin and weak".
Meanwhile the Dutch government, reacting to the appearance of Sjaak Rijke in the video, said it would not comment out of respect for the 54-year-old's family.Meanwhile the Dutch government, reacting to the appearance of Sjaak Rijke in the video, said it would not comment out of respect for the 54-year-old's family.
Mr Rijke, who is also shown bearded and standing in front of a black Islamist flag, says in the video that he is speaking on 26 September - though there is nothing else in the clip to confirm this.Mr Rijke, who is also shown bearded and standing in front of a black Islamist flag, says in the video that he is speaking on 26 September - though there is nothing else in the clip to confirm this.
"As of today, I hold my government responsible for any harm that comes to me," he adds."As of today, I hold my government responsible for any harm that comes to me," he adds.
Mr Rijke was also kidnapped in November 2011, while visiting the Malian city of Timbuktu as a tourist.Mr Rijke was also kidnapped in November 2011, while visiting the Malian city of Timbuktu as a tourist.
It is not clear where the two hostages are being held or whether they are being held together.It is not clear where the two hostages are being held or whether they are being held together.
AQIM took a number of Western hostages before the French military deployed its forces against the group in January 2013.AQIM took a number of Western hostages before the French military deployed its forces against the group in January 2013.
There were at one point at least 14 French nationals being held by Islamists in West Africa.There were at one point at least 14 French nationals being held by Islamists in West Africa.
Correction, 9 December 2014: This story originally said Mr Verdon had been killed in March 2012 but has been updated to indicate he was actually killed in March 2013.