Latifa pleads for the release of French journalist

The French radio station Monte Carlo has chose Tunisian singer Latifa to head their campaign for the release of French journalist Florence Aubenas and her translator, who were taken hostage in Iraq while on assignment. The station requested that Latifa make a plea to the kidnappers, asking them to release the hostages unharmed.

According to the London based Elaph, Florence, taken hostage in Baghdad, made a desperate appeal for help in a video tape released by Iraqi insurgents. "My name is Florence Aubenas. I'm French. I'm a journalist with Liberation," she said on the undated tape, speaking in broken English and looking distraught and exhausted.

Latifa will be the first Arab singer to make such a humanitarian plea, and will join a number of prominent Arab figures, like Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and Lebanese singer Marcel Khalifa, in the campaign.

Latifa has agreed to hold a July 14th concert as part of the Carthage Festival, marking her return to her homeland after a four year absence. Latifa’s approval came after the head of the festival, Mr. Raouf Bin Amr, promised to revive the festival, a request Latifa had made during several interviews. She had expressed concern that the festival was becoming too inclusive, and should be reserved for elite talent. The singer also revealed that she will be performing a number of concerts in Tunisia at other festivals.