US State Department Spokesperson Hala Gharit said that Damascus did not recognize the arrest of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since 2012.
Gharit added that Washington is “completely confident that the regime in Syria is holding Tice,” and assessing that dealing with Damascus is “the best option to bring Austin back home and resolve this issue.”
“The United States is ready to engage with anyone who can help make progress towards the release of missing American citizens, including meeting with Syrian regime officials,” he said.
And according to the “Syria TV” website, the US official stressed that “conversation with the person who may be required to extradite Austin Tice does not imply a broader change in US relations or policies towards the Syrian regime.”
Gharit stated that the US hostage affairs ambassador, Roger Carstens, has the authority to communicate directly with anyone who can help, and to talk to countries that the US may not have diplomatic relations with.
