U.S., Syria in talks over Austin Tice, French newspaper reports

U.S. officials are in negotiations with Syria to release freelance journalist Austin Tice, who's been missing for over two and a half years, French newspaper Le Figaroreported Friday.

Communication with Syria about Tice's location would represent a significant development in his plight, as well as unusual contact between the U.S. and Syrian governments.

Since Tice disappeared in 2012, Bashar Assad's Syrian government has said it does not know where he is.

The negotiations involve a "high-ranking American diplomat," a Czech diplomat in Damascus and Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Moqdad, Le Figaro reported, citing an anonymous European diplomat. The Czech Embassy has been involved in matters of U.S. interest in Syria since the U.S. Embassy closed in 2012.

Tice was last heard from in August 2012, two days before his 31st birthday. A former Marine and a student at Georgetown University's law school, he crossed the border from Turkey into Damascus to work as a photojournalist before reporting for McClatchy and The Washington Post.

He disappeared three months after arriving in Syria. A video posted online in September 2012 showed Tice, blindfolded but physically unharmed, with captors dressed in traditional Islamic outfits. Tice has not been seen since, and no group or individual has come forward to seek ransom or claim him as a hostage.

"We are deeply concerned about the well-being of U.S. citizens reported missing or taken hostage in Syria and continue to work through our Czech protecting power in Syria to get information on their welfare and whereabouts," the State Department said in a statement. "In addition to working through our Czech protecting power, we have been in periodic, direct contact with Syrian government officials on consular issues. For privacy and security reasons, we cannot provide additional details."

Tice's parents, Debra and Marc Tice, declined to comment on the report from Le Figaro, but issued a statement on their website. "The release of any hostage is a blessing, and a great joy to their family and friends," they said. "We sincerely hope everything possible is being done for the safe return of our son, and, as ever, we hope to see Austin safely home as soon as possible."

In February, the Tice family launched an awareness campaign through the organization Reporters Without Borders, seeking to raise awareness of their son's plight and urge the U.S. government to do more to bring Tice home.

At the end of 2014, there were at least 22 journalists held in Syria, which Reporters Without Borders names as the deadliest country for journalists.