Updated May 12, 2014 19:57:58
Boko Haram has released a new video claiming to show the missing Nigerian schoolgirls, alleging they have converted to Islam and would not be released until all militant prisoners were freed.
In the video the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, speaks for 17 minutes before showing what he says are about 130 of the girls, wearing the full-length hijab and praying in an undisclosed rural location.
A total of 276 girls were abducted on April 14 from the north-eastern town of Chibok, in Borno state, which has a sizeable Christian community. Some 223 are still missing.
The abduction has sparked worldwide outrage, with several nations offering military and intelligence assistance to locate the girls.
Diplomats, aid workers, defence officials and other experts from Britain and the United States have been working with the Nigerian government since Saturday.
Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan says he is optimistic about finding those still held hostage, citing international support, with Israel the latest country to offer help.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not give details of the proposed assistance but Mr Jonathan confirmed the offer to send a team of counter-terrorism experts was made during a phone conversation.
A viral social media campaign calling for the schoolgirls' return has seen public figures such as United States first lady Michelle Obama tweeting with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
On Sunday, French president Francois Hollande called on African leaders to hold a summit in Paris on security in west Africa.
The leaders of at least five African countries - Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin - may take part, a source close to the president said.
AFP
Topics:crime, law-crime-and-justice, unrest-conflict-and-war, nigeria
First posted May 12, 2014 19:54:01
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