The Obama administration said it will not negotiate with al-Qaeda despite its concerns about the well-being of a 70-year-old Rockville, Md., aid worker who was kidnapped in Pakistan nine months ago.
In a video recently released by al-Qaeda, Weinstein said he would be killed unless President Barack Obama agrees to the group's demands.
"We condemn his kidnapping in the strongest terms, and call for his immediate release," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday. "...[B]ut we cannot, and will not, negotiate with al-Qaeda."
Carney said he did not believe the president had seen the video. He said the government would continue to make efforts to have Weinstein released.
In the video, Weinstein pleads with Obama to agree to al-Qaeda's demands. Al-Qaeda has said it would release Weinstein if the United States stops airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. It also wants al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects around the world freed.
Weinstein works for J.E. Austin Associates, which advises Pakistani businesses and government organizations.
NBC News cannot confirm when and where the video was made.
