Details from SKY NEWS

The British hostage Norman Kember has appeared in a silent video released by his kidnappers. The video was made on February 28 – the deadline given by the kidnappers for western governments to meet their demands. The broadcast showed three Christian Peacemaker activists – it is not known where the fourth hostage was.

Commentary on the tape said the men were asking their governments to secure their release.

The group was abducted in Iraq on November 26 and a statement issued by the previously unknown Swords of Righteousness Brigades said the hostages would be executed by the end of February if Iraqi prisoners were not released from jail.

The four workers – two Canadians, an American and a Briton – were last seen in a videotape aired by al Jazeera on January 28.

The new video, aired by al Jazeera, showed the three men sitting in chairs and speaking, although there was no sound.

Mr Kember looked tired, gaunt and had large bags under his eyes.

Those held are Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32; Tom Fox, 54, of Virginia; and Norman Kember, 74, of London.