This is French national Denis Allex as he appeared in an undated video released by Somali militants.<br/> <br />Al Shabaab rebels linked to al Qaeda said on Thursday they had executed Allex, who French armed forces had tried to rescue over the weekend.<br/> <br />The militant group said on its Twitter account that he had been killed at 1630 GMT on Wednesday.<br/> <br />This has not been confirmed by other sources as the news spread on Thursday.<br/> <br />The militants said the decision to kill Allex was unanimous and followed three years of what it called exhaustive attempts at negotiation.<br/> <br />France, however, said it believes the Frenchman was killed in Saturday's failed rescue mission, and has accused the militants of manipulating the media.<br/> <br />In the video Allex is seen pleading for his life.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH HOSTAGE DENIS ALLEX READING FROM SHEETS OF PAPER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Mr. President, I am still alive, but for how long? That depends upon you, for if you do not reach an agreement for my release, then I am afraid this will be the last message you receive from me. My life depends on you."<br/> <br />Allex was one of two French intelligence officers who were kidnapped in Mogadishu in July 2009, though the other man escaped a month later.<br/> <br />Two French commandos were killed in Saturday's failed rescue attempt.
