Two U.S. journalists missing in Lebanon

[Cell_Leader]

(CNN) -- The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is asking for assistance in locating two missing American journalists who were on vacation in Lebanon and have not been heard from since they left the Lebanese capital last week.

Holli Chmela, 27, and her male companion, Taylor Luck, 23, arrived in Lebanon on September 29 from Amman, Jordan, the embassy said.

They left Beirut on October 1, telling friends they were headed for the northern Lebanese cities of Byblos and Tripoli that day.

No one has reported any contact with them since then, the embassy said.

"They were then to cross by land to Syria before returning to Jordan," the embassy said. "Chmela and Luck were due to report to work in Jordan on October 4."

They both were employed by the Jordan Times newspaper in Amman, according to Abdul Wahab Zugaylat, the head of Jordan's press association.

"We are waiting to hear officially from the U.S. Embassy that they did not depart the Lebanese borders," Zugaylat said.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said it is working with the Lebanese Internal Security Force to investigate the whereabouts of the pair.

"In addition, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut is coordinating efforts with the U.S. embassies in Amman and Damascus [Syria] as well as with the Department of State in Washington," the embassy said

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast ... index.html

[homeofthebrave]

Safe and sound:

2 missing Americans detained in Syria

By ALBERT AJI,
Associated Press Writer
1 hr 36 mins ago

DAMASCUS, Syria – Two American journalists whose disappearance prompted a U.S. Embassy alert and a wide search were in Syrian custody Thursday after being detained while trying to sneak into the country with smugglers, Syrian officials said.

Holli Chmela, 27, and Taylor Luck, 23 were detained after they crossed into Syria from Lebanon, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said. It said the two would be handed over to the U.S. Embassy following a completion of "necessary measures."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081009/ap_ ... XHV8AUewgF

[Julstar]

U.S. says Syria frees 2 American journalists held for not having visas (AP)
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pa ... kers.jhtml