( CNN ) -- The Syrian government has told the parents of a missing American journalist that it does n't know where their son is , the man 's father said Monday at a news conference in Beirut , Lebanon . Austin Tice last contacted his family on August 13 while in Syria reporting on the uprising there against the government of President Bashar al-Assad . He was reportedly preparing to leave Syria for Lebanon when he went missing , according to his family . Read more : Family working for journalist 's release plans visit to Lebanon . In October , a shaky video surfaced on YouTube showing a man believed to be Tice surrounded by armed men walking him up a hill . Tice 's father , Marc Tice , said that family members have been in touch , `` directly and indirectly , '' with Syrian government officials , but they have learned nothing about his son 's location despite traveling to Beirut to seek his release . `` We 're reaching out to everyone that we can get in touch with , '' he said . Tice 's parents say they are willing to go to Syria if that what it will take to get their son back . `` We have no idea what will be required , and we would like to know from whoever is holding him what it is that we need to do , '' Marc Tice said . Austin is the oldest of the couple 's seven children . `` We are a big , close family . We have all felt the void [ of ] his absence , '' said his mother , Debra Tice . With the holiday season approaching , they are `` dismayed by the empty chair at our family table , '' she said . `` We miss Austin . Knowing his smile , big laugh , great storytelling . '' `` We ask whomever is holding Austin to treat him well , to keep him safe and return him to us as soon as possible , '' Marc Tice said . `` Again , anyone that hears this , anyone that can help us find Austin , talk with him and get him back safely , please send us an e-mail . '' The e-mail address is information @ austintice.com . U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said Thursday that U.S. officials have no idea where Tice is but have enlisted the help of Poland , which represents U.S. interests in Syria as a `` protecting power '' after the closing of the American Embassy in Damascus . Read more : Reports : Missing U.S. reporter held in Syria . `` We continued to work through our various channels , including the protecting power , to urge the Syrian regime to be more forthcoming , '' she said . Nuland previously said U.S. officials believe Tice was detained by Syrian officials in August as he was preparing to leave the country . Tice had smuggled himself into the country to report on the uprising . State Department officials have questioned the veracity of the October video , which purports to show Tice in the custody of rebels fighting the Syrian government . Debra Tice pleaded that whoever has her child think about their own family . `` Austin is a cherished son and beloved brother , '' she said . `` If he were your son or brother , I ask , what would you do to find him and return him to your family ? ''
Debra Tice parents urge anyone with leads to e-mail information @ austintice.com . Missing Syrian journalist 's parents say they 'd go to Lebanon if necessary to find son . They 've already gone to Syria to seek his release . Father : American government told family that it does n't know where missing journalist is .