Tape shows kidnapped NZer [+ video]

Olaf Wiig (left) and American Steve Centanni. Picture / Reuters

GAZA - New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig and American journalist Steve Centanni, kidnapped in Gaza last week, said they were in "fairly good health" and appealed for help to secure their freedom in a videotape released overnight.

Peter Rider, an official leading New Zealand's efforts to secure the hostages' release, said he had first heard about the tape from Wiig's wife, television presenter Anita McNaught.

Mr Rider told Newstalk ZB: "She was rushing off to view it. When I talked to her later this evening [local time] she was just so delighted to see Olaf there looking well and reasonably well looked after and able to talk to her and the family."

A previously unknown militant group, the "Holy Jihad Brigades", earlier claimed responsibility for the kidnapping nine days ago in the Palestinian coastal strip and demanded the United States release "Muslim prisoners" within 72 hours.

The United States said it would not make "concessions to terrorists". The militant group did not say what would happen if the demand was ignored.

Fox News Channel correspondent Centanni, 60, and Wiig, 36, were shown in the video sitting on a blanket on a floor.

They sat against a black backdrop with no markings. No militants could be seen.

"We're alive and well, in fairly good health," Centanni said, speaking in a clear and calm voice.

Centanni said they had been treated well.

Wiig added: "I know my family will already be doing this, but if you could apply any political pressure ... both here in Gaza and the West Bank that would be much appreciated by both Steve and myself."

The video bore many hallmarks of tapes of captives issued by militants in Iraq, and the rhetoric of the group also mirrored the heavily religious language used by Iraqi insurgents.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said New Zealand authorities were working with the Palestinian and US authorities to secure the pair's release.

The video was the first sign from the kidnappers and as such it was welcome, she said.

Centanni and Wiig were abducted by masked gunmen in Gaza City on August 14 as they were working on a story.

"Release what you have, and we will release what we have," the "Holy Jihad Brigades" said in a statement obtained by Reuters.

"If you implement our conditions we will implement our promise, otherwise you will have to wait."

The United States called for the quick release of the two men and vowed not to bow to the demands.

"It is the position of the US government that we do not make concessions to terrorists," said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, spokeswoman for the US consulate in Jerusalem.

Until Wednesday's statement from the militant group, which contained verses from the Koran, no one had claimed responsibility for the abduction, which is now the longest-lasting in Gaza for more than a year.

- REUTERS, NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB