UN chief offers condolences to families of Muslim American shooting victims

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has expressed his condolences to the families of three Muslim American students who were shot to death earlier this week, a UN spokesperson said Friday.

Ban was "deeply moved" by the scenes of thousands of Americans and others from around the world "coming together to mourn the lives" of the three victims, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said here in response to a question at a daily briefing.

Ban extended his deepest condolences to the families of victims and the communities in which "these three proud Americans lived and served," Dujarric said.

"At a time of troubling tensions stoked by those who seek to twist the teachings of faith and sow division, these three young people represented the best values of global citizenship and active community compassion to build a better world for all," the spokesman said.

The three American Muslims were reportedly shot to death on Feb. 10 near the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill in the U.S., sparking concerns that the three might have been targeted because of their religion.

The three were named by police as Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife Yusor Abu-Salha, 21 and her sister, Razan Abu-Salha, 19.

The UN chief's comments reiterate appeals from the organization for tolerance and acceptance amid increasing extremism throughout the world and a series of atrocities committed by groups such as the Islamic State and Boko Haram. Endite