Iraq hostage 'being treated well'

Mr Garen read out a message from his captors

A French-American journalist kidnapped a week ago in Iraq has appeared in footage shown by al-Jazeera television, saying he is being well treated.

Micah Garen, who disappeared in the southern city of Nasiriya, read out a message from his captors calling for an end to the "slaughter" in Najaf.

On Wednesday, al-Jazeera reported that a group called the Martyrs' Brigades had threatened to kill Mr Garen.

Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr is reported to have urged his abductors to free him.

Mr Garen is founder and head of Four Corners Media, described as a company specialising in film, photo and written documentaries.

"I am now held in captivity and being treated well," he said on the video.

He was kidnapped on 13 August along with his Iraqi translator, Amir Doushi.

There has been no word of Mr Doushi's fate.