Security Council says world should help Jordan in fighting terrorism menace

AMMAN — The Security Council on Tuesday condemned the "apparent murder" of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh by the so-called Islamic State (IS) group.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night after IS released a video purportedly showing Kasasbeh being burnt to death, members of the council deplored the killing as a "heinous and cowardly act".

"This crime once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant], which is responsible for thousands of crimes and abuses against people from all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities, and without regard to any basic value of humanity," the statement said.

Member states underlined the need to bring "perpetrators of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice". 

They stressed that those responsible for Kasasbeh's murder "shall be held accountable for this crime and cowardly act", urging all states to cooperate actively with Jordan's government and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

Council members expressed their "deep sympathy and condolences" to Kasasbeh's family and to the government of Jordan, "as well as to the families of all victims of ISIL".

They also commended "the resolute efforts of the government of Jordan to counter the menace of terrorism", urging the international community to support these efforts.

"Such a crime by ISIL demonstrates that terrorism is a scourge impacting all of humanity and people from all regions and religions," the statement said.

"ISIL must be defeated and… the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out," according to the member nations, which said that "there has to be a common effort amongst governments and institutions… to counter ISIL, Al Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda".

The council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who kept hostage by IS, Al Nusra Front and other extremist groups.