In a statement, the agency announced that it had received with “deep concern” the news of Khaiti’s disappearance more than a week ago.

It noted that from the outset it had established contacts with the relevant authorities and made intensive efforts to obtain any information leading to his whereabouts.

These efforts have so far been unsuccessful, the source acknowledged.

The entity emphasized that the safety and protection of journalists throughout the Syrian Arab Republic is a top priority in the Ministry’s media strategy and that it “will spare no effort in investigating this case until the truth is revealed and Mohammed Khaiti is safely returned to his family and colleagues.”

He affirmed full commitment to follow it through to the end and called on all official and community agencies to cooperate and intensify efforts until all circumstances are revealed.

The 36 years old Khaiti, a native of Douma city, east of the Syrian capital Damascus, went missing on Thursday evening, May 3.

Last January, photographer and journalist for the official Syrian news agency SANA, Ibrahim Ajaj, was killed after being kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the province of Hama, about 250 kilometers north of the capital.

The Information Ministry condemned the crime and affirmed, through a statement, its full commitment to supporting press freedom and protecting journalists as a fundamental right for all.

abo/oda/fm