American journalist freed by captors

American journalist and writer Peter Theo Curtis was handed over to UN representatives yesterday, following extensive mediation by Qatar.

The 45-year-old had been missing since October 2012 when he was last seen in the Turkish city of Antakya, apparently intending to enter Syria through the nearby border, possibly by the militant group Jabhat al-Nusra or by splinter groups allied with Jabhat al-Nusra

There are grave concerns for journalists being held captive in the region after video emerged last week of American James Foley, who was also captured in 2012, being beheaded.

A source in Qatar told Reuters he did not know if the Gulf Arab state was involved in seeking to free other journalists, but added that "any captives with (Islamic State) will be very difficult for Qatar to free, while others with different groups would be easier".

US secretary of state John Kerry confirmed the release saying the US was using "every diplomatic, intelligence and military tool" at its disposal to secure the release of other Americans held hostage in Syria. It is not known if a ransom was paid.