Syrian authorities release Palestinian journalist who writes about Isreali affairs

BEIRUT - A Lebanese newspaper says Syrian authorities have released one of its journalists after detaining him for three days.

Lebanon-based Palestinian journalist Helmi Moussa is the Israeli affairs editor for the daily As-Safir and was in Syria for a conference where he was detained.

As-Safir, which is close to Syrian-backed Lebanese groups, said in a front-page report Friday that Moussa was released Thursday night after being questioned as a witness in "cases under investigation." It did not give further details.

His detention was first reported by Beirut-based journalism watchdog Skeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom.

It is not uncommon for Syria to detain Syrian journalists, but it is unusual for foreign reporters to be held.