American Journalist Missing in Syria

A photo taken on September 29, 2011 shows US freelance reporter James Foley (L) on the highway between the airport and the West Gate of Sirte, Libya. Foley was kidnapped in war-torn Syria six weeks ago and has been missing since, his family revealed on January 2, 2013. Foley, 39, an experienced war reporter who has covered other conflicts, was seized by armed men in the town of Taftanaz in the northern province of Idlib on November 22, according to witnesses. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

BEIRUT (AP) -- The family of an American journalist says he went missing in Syria more than one month ago while covering the civil war there.

A statement released online Wednesday by the family of James Foley said he was kidnapped in northwest Syria by unknown gunmen on Thanksgiving day.

The statement appealed to those holding Foley to contact the family "so we can work together toward his release."

Foley, 39, has worked in a number of conflict zones around the Middle East, including Syria, Libya and Iraq.

He was contributing videos to Agence France-Press while in Syria.

A photo taken on September 29, 2011 shows US freelance reporter James Foley resting in a room at the airport of Sirte, Libya. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

The news agency quoted its chairman, Emmanuel Hoog, as saying it was doing all it could to secure Foley's release.

"He is a professional journalist who is absolutely neutral in this conflict," Hoog said.