Two Germans held hostage in Iraq have appeared in a video on al-Jazeera television. The Arab network says the hostages urged the German government to help secure their release.
The video showed the two German engineers on their knees with gunmen in the background. Al-Jazeera said a group calling itself "Ansar al-Tawid wal Sunnah" produced the videotape.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her government condemned the kidnapping in the strongest terms. She said officials are working to gain the release of the two engineers, who were taken captive Tuesday north of Baghdad.
At least five foreigners have been kidnapped in Iraq this month -- including two Kenyan communications engineers and an American journalist.