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Kidnapped US journalist has not been seen for 44 days Media blackout lifted on kidnapping of US journalist in Syria
(35 minutes later)
The family of freelance American reporter James Foley have revealed that he was kidnapped at gunpoint in Syria on 22 November, 44 days ago.The family of freelance American reporter James Foley have revealed that he was kidnapped at gunpoint in Syria on 22 November, 44 days ago.
Foley, an experienced war reporter aged 39, was seized by four armed men in the town of Taftanaz, in the northern province of Idlib, according to witnesses. Foley, an experienced war reporter aged 39, was seized by four armed men in the town of Taftanaz, in the northern province of Idlib, according to witnesses. His driver and translator were later released.
He had downloaded video material to the news agency AFP the day before he disappeared. His driver and translator were later released.
Foley was travelling with another journalist who has also been reported missing, but whose family have requested that he not be identified. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions.Foley was travelling with another journalist who has also been reported missing, but whose family have requested that he not be identified. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions.
He was working for the international news website GlobalPost, and had contributed video material to the news agency AFP the day before he disappeared. He is known to American TV viewers through his work for leading TV channels.
Foley's family, which had earlier asked media groups not to report the kidnap in the hope that a low profile would assist in efforts to free him, broke their silence to reveal his plight.Foley's family, which had earlier asked media groups not to report the kidnap in the hope that a low profile would assist in efforts to free him, broke their silence to reveal his plight.
"We want Jim to come safely home, or at least we need to speak with him to know he's okay," said his father John Foley. "Jim is an objective journalist and we appeal for the release of Jim unharmed.""We want Jim to come safely home, or at least we need to speak with him to know he's okay," said his father John Foley. "Jim is an objective journalist and we appeal for the release of Jim unharmed."
Foley, who also contributes major US TV channels, was working for the international news website GlobalPost.Foley, who also contributes major US TV channels, was working for the international news website GlobalPost.
His family has launched a website (www.freejamesfoley.org) and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/freejamesfoley) to highlight his case.His family has launched a website (www.freejamesfoley.org) and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/freejamesfoley) to highlight his case.
Foley has been kidnapped before. He was held for six weeks in Libya by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi while covering that civil war. Foley has been kidnapped before. He was held for six weeks in Libya after being captured in April 2011 by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
The reason for the men's abduction in Syria remains unclear. It is not known if their abductors are financially motivated or if they are linked to any Islamist groups, rebels or pro-regime forces or sympathisers. The reason for the journalists' abduction in Syria remains unclear. It is not known if their abductors are financially motivated, seeking a ransom, or if they are linked to Islamist groups, rebels or pro-regime forces or sympathisers.
Large parts of northern Syria are controlled by rebel groups that form part of the Free Syrian Army or are made up of jihadists, including foreign fighters.

AFP's chairman, Emmanuel Hoog, said the organisation was doing its utmost to secure Foley's freedom.		 Large parts of northern Syria are controlled by rebel groups that form part of the Free Syrian Army or are made up of jihadists, including foreign fighters.

AFP's chairman, Emmanuel Hoog, said the organisation was doing its utmost to secure Foley's freedom. He said:
"We are in constant touch with his family and loved ones, while reaching out to a range of contacts and doing everything we can to facilitate his release," he said. "We are in constant touch with his family and loved ones, while reaching out to a range of contacts and doing everything we can to facilitate his release.
"He is a professional journalist who is absolutely neutral in this conflict," Hoog said of Foley, who has contributed around 30 video stories to AFP since late March 2012. He is a professional journalist who is absolutely neutral in this conflict. His kidnappers, whoever they may be, should free him immediately."
"His kidnappers, whoever they may be, should free him immediately," he added. And GlobalPost's chief executive, Phillip Balboni, also called for Foley's release. He issued this statement:
"We have been working intensively with many parties in the United States and in the Middle East to secure Jim Foley's freedom so he can return home to his loving family
Jim is a brave and dedicated reporter who has spent much of the past year covering the civil war in Syria, believing like so many of his colleagues that this is a very important story for the American people to know more about. We urge his captors to release him."
Sources: UPI/AFP via Hindustan TimesSources: UPI/AFP via Hindustan Times