On the situation of the French hostage in Iraq

Concerning the case of the kidnapped French hostage in Iraq since 7 weeks, the French foreign minister Michael Barnier said that his country studies the video tape in which the French journalist Florence Aubenas appeared asking for help.

Aubenas extended an urgent appeal for help, in a video tape broadcast by her kidnappers on Tuesday.

The journalist said in a video tape which is not dated after she had introduced herself that her health condition is deteriorating and that she is in a very bad psychological conditions.

Aubenas seemed in a state of bewilderment while sitting wearing a gray blouse and a black trousers. She said in the tape, kneeling and looking at the camera "Help me."

"We found the video of Florence Aubenas and her appeal to be very disturbing," Reporters Without Borders said. "We would like to concentrate on the fact that she is alive and that the recording contains no explicit threat or ultimatum. But the exhaustion and anxiety on her face is extremely worrying.

"We solemnly call on the kidnappers to release Florence and her assistant, Hussein Hanoun. Over and above the revulsion we feel for such abduction methods, our organization appeals to the news media of the entire world, especially the Arab world, to help Florence and Hussein, as well as the kidnapped Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena.

"The need at this time is for unity and to avoid controversy at all cost," the press freedom organization added.

Reporters Without Borders said: It was the first recording showing the Liberation correspondent since she was kidnapped along with her fixer, Hussein Hanoun, 55 days ago. Visibly affected by the long period in captivity, Aubenas made an appeal for help that showed her anxiety. "My health is very bad," she said in English.