Two French journalists have gone missing on Friday as the French president calls for their immediate release.

Francois Hollande demanded the two French radio journalists be freed.



“We have indeed lost contact with these two journalists, but we do not yet know the exact circumstances,” Hollande, on a three-day visit to Japan, told a news conference alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reported Reuters.



“I demand the immediate release of these journalists because they do not represent any state. These are men who have worked so the world can get information. Journalists must be treated as journalists,” Reuters quoted Hollande as saying.

Two French radio journalists have been missing for at least 24 hours, their employer Europe 1 was reported saying by AFP.



According to AFP, the pair were identified as Didier François, a seasoned reporter in trouble spots, and photographer Edouard Elias.

The radio station also told AFP that it was working with the French authorities to obtain more information.

This is not the first time journalists have disappeared in Syria.

On Thursday, reports were released about an Italian journalist who too missing in Syria two months ago.

AFP reported that the veteran war correspondent is still alive and spoke to his wife on the telephone.

“Domenico Quirico is well, and we trust in the work of our authorities to bring him home,” Mario Calabresi, la Stampa’s editor-in-chief, said on Twitter. “He is still in Syria and we hope to hold him in our arms again soon.”

In April, four Italian journalists were kidnapped in Syria but later released.



Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:40 - GMT 06:40