The Syrian regime denied the detention of the American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria about 10 years ago, and US President Joe Biden said last week that the journalist is being held in Damascus, calling for him to be returned to his country.

"Last week, misleading and illogical statements were issued by the US administration, including false accusations of the Syrian government of kidnapping or arresting American citizens, including Austin Tice," the Syrian regime's Foreign Ministry said.

"The Syrian government denies that it has kidnapped or disappeared any American citizen who entered its territory or resided in areas under its sovereignty and authority," it added in a statement.

Last Tuesday, the US State Department revealed direct talks it held with the Syrian regime in an attempt to secure the release of journalist Tice.

On August 10, US President Joe Biden said, in a press statement, that his country is certain that "Tice is being held by the Syrian regime."

"On the 10th anniversary of his kidnapping, I am calling on Syria to end this and help us bring him home," Biden added. "There is no higher priority in my administration than the return and return of Americans who are being held hostage or unjustly held abroad."

During a solidarity demonstration a few days ago with Austin Tice in front of the headquarters of the Washington Post (Reuters)

He appeared arrested

Austin Tice disappeared on August 12, 2012, during his coverage of the clashes in the Damascus countryside, and then appeared once on September 26, 2012 in a short video, being detained by unknown armed men, and to this day no party has claimed responsibility for his detention.

And in 2020, former US President Donald Trump sent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a personal message about Tice.

Trump said at the time that he did not know if Tice was still alive, but the US administration announced last year that he was alive.

In 2018, the US authorities announced a reward of one million dollars for anyone who provides any information that could lead to Tice's release.

Tice is a freelance reporter for The Washington Post and other media outlets.