Islamic State hostage Kassig: 'I am scared to die'

A US citizen being held by Islamic State militants wrote to his parents telling them he is "pretty scared to die".

Abdul-Rahman Kassig - who was born Peter but changed his name after converting to Islam last year - was threatened at the end of a video showing the murder of British aid worker Alan Henning.

In the letter, that was sent to his parents in June, Kassig said: "I am obviously pretty scared to die but the hardest part is not knowing, wondering, hoping and wondering if I should even hope at all.

"I am very sad that all this has happened and for what all of you back home are going through.

"If I do die, I figure that at least you and I can seek refuge and comfort in knowing that I went out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering and helping those in need.

"In terms of my faith, I pray everyday and I am not angry about my situation in that sense."

The letter ends with the words: "I love you."