Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad on Tuesday handed over a German journalist, who had entered the unrest-torn country illegally, to the Russian ambassador at the foreign ministry.

The details about the abduction of German freelance journalist, Billy Six, are still murky as the government and the rebels are accusing each other of being responsible.

Pro-government media said Six had been kidnapped by the armed rebels and was freed by the government troops, while the activists said he was captured by the Syrian forces in the town of Shaizar of central province of Hama last week.

At a press conference Tuesday, Mikdad decried many reporters' illegal entry to his country while the Syrian government had offered much facilitation to the foreign media.

For his part, Russian Ambassador Azmat-Allah Mohammadov called on all countries to respect Syria's sovereignty, adding that Syria respects the sincere and objective work of journalists.

The Russian government has apparently mediated the release of Six, who will leave Syria under the Russian embassy's protection.