British hostage pleads for life

A British hostage appeared on a video posted on an Islamic website weeping and pleading for his life as Iraq’s leader and US officials stifled reports a high-profile female Iraqi weapons scientist could be released from jail soon - as demanded by his captors.

The man who identified himself as Kenneth Bigley appealed to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to intervene. “I think this is possibly my last chance,” he said. “I don’t want to die.”