Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi is reported by Sabah daily newspaper as saying that the Syrian authorities were working to find two missing Turkish journalists.

Makdissi has rejected media reports that the journalists – Adem Özköse and Hamit Coşkun – were held by the Syrian authorities. “We don’t intend to use the journalists for any purpose. If we find them, we will send them to Turkey,” he said.

Makdisis noted that the government was trying to abide by the truce, but added that the rebels were attacking government forces. He added that problems had to be solved through dialogue and political channels.

Makdisi noted that Damascus wanted good ties with Turkey and added that Turkey had to become part of the solution in Syria. “Syria needs reforms, not an armed revolution. We want the Turkish government to play a constructive role in this issue,” he noted.