DHAKA: The US has revealed it tried to rescue UK-born American hostage Luke Somers, who is being held by al-Qaeda in Yemen.

President Barack Obama authorized the mission last month, it said.

“Regrettably, Luke was not present, though hostages of other nationalities were present and were rescued,” the National Security Council said.

A man identifying himself as Luke Somers, who was abducted in 2013, has appeared in a video, saying his life is in danger and appealing for help, reports the BBC.

The video also shows a member of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP) threatening to kill Somers unless unspecified demands are met.

The undated three-minute video has not been released publicly.

BDST: 0049 HRS, DEC 05, 2014