A US special envoy negotiates in Beirut the return of American reporter Austin Tice

MADRID Dec. 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United States Government reported this Monday that the special envoy for hostage affairs Roger Carstens is in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where he is “pressuring all parties” in the region to find the American reporter Austin Tice, given for missing in Syrian territory for twelve years, and take him back to his family.

“We encourage anyone with information about Austin’s whereabouts to contact the FBI immediately. They have made it clear that they will offer a reward for information leading to his return home. (…) We will not rest until return home safely to their loved ones,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said during a press conference.

The day before, the president of the United States, Joe Biden, stated that he could “recover” the journalist, although he acknowledged that he does not have “direct evidence” of his condition. When asked about a possible rescue operation, the Democrat said that they must first “identify where” the reporter is.

In addition, he stressed that Washington “supports a peaceful transition of power to a representative and responsible Syrian government through an inclusive process led by the people of Syria.” “During this transition period, the Syrian people deserve respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he stressed.

On the other hand, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will travel to Israel this week to address “a number of important issues including efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and release of hostages in Gaza, the latest events in Syria, and about Lebanon and Iran,” according to the American television network .

Tice, a freelance journalist and former member of the United States Marine Corps, was kidnapped while reporting on the war in Syria in 2012, although no terrorist group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

The former marine was detained when he was 31 years old in August 2012 at a checkpoint while reporting in Damascus on the revolt against the Syrian government. There is no news about his whereabouts since a video was spread on social networks in which he appeared guarded by armed men.