Strongly condemning the "heinous and cowardly" murder of a British humanitarian aid worker by the Islamic State group, the UN Security Council on Friday stressed that the terror outfit must be defeated.
The 15-nation Council said that the killing of Alan Henning, is a tragic reminder of the increasing dangers volunteer humanitarian personnel face every day in Syria. It also once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIS or ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian and Iraqi people.
"The members of the Security Council stressed again that ISIL must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out," the powerful UN body said in a press statement.
The 47-year-old from Manchester in northwest England had volunteered to help drive an aid convoy to Syria for a Muslim charity, and was kidnapped 10 months ago.
He is the fourth Western hostage killed in the same manner in roughly two-week intervals since August by the ISIS.
Expressing their deep sympathy and condolences to Henning's family, the Council members emphasized that continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL do not intimidate them, but rather stiffen their resolve that there has to be a common effort among Governments and institutions, including those in the region most affected, to counter ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with al-Qaeda.
The Council stressed that those responsible for the killing of Henning shall be held accountable, and urged the international community to cooperate actively with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in this regard.
The members of the Security Council also recalled their condemnation of all forms of violence and intimidation to which those participating in humanitarian operations are increasingly exposed.
Terming any acts of terrorism as "criminal and unjustifiable," the UNSC demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL and the Al-Nusra Front and underlined the need to bring perpetrators of the "reprehensible" acts of terrorism to justice.
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