Beirut/Amman - Two freelance journalists from the United States are believed to have gone missing on the road between northern Lebanon and Aleppo in Syria, Lebanese media reported Wednesday.

The US embassy in Beirut has confirmed that the two journalists are missing.

"The families of Ms. Holli Chmela, age 27, and Mr. Taylor Luck, age 23, are asking for the public's assistance in providing information on the possible whereabouts of the two US citizens," an embassy statement said.

"They have not been heard from since October 1, 2008 when they reportedly departed Beirut en route to Byblos and Tripoli," it added.

The embassy statement said Chmela and Luck arrived in Lebanon from Amman, Jordan on September 29 for vacation. The two told a friend on October 1 that they were traveling from Beirut to Tripoli via Byblos that same day.

"They were then to cross by land to Syria before returning to Jordan. Chmela and Luck were due to report to work in Jordan on October 4," it added.

"The U.S. Embassy is working with the Lebanese Internal Security Force (ISF) and the Surete Generale to pursue further leads in this investigation. In addition, the US Embassy in Beirut is coordinating efforts with the US embassies in Amman and Damascus, as well as with the Department of State in Washington," the statement added.

Luck and Chmela, who were apparently working for the Jordan Times, last contacted their families on October 1, saying they planned to take a taxi from Tripoli to Aleppo, the Lebanese daily al- Akhbar said.

A source, who is close to the two missing journalists and living in Jordan, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa by phone that "the two journalists were suppose to be in Amman on Saturday."

"Their families have also lost contact with them," the source, who requested anonymity, told dpa.

The source said that he believes the two journalists are missing, but did not elaborate further.

According to Lebanese security sources, the two had set out from their hotel in Beirut on September 30 for an unknown destination.

The sources said Luck had last used his credit card in Beirut on October 1.