1st LD Writethru: UN chief slams "barbaric killing" of Ethiopian nationals in Libya on religious grounds

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms the barbaric killing of a number of Ethiopian nationals by individuals affiliated with Daesh in Libya," and "utterly deplores the targeting of people on the basis of their religious affiliation."

"The secretary-general reaffirms that the ongoing UN- facilitated dialogue is the best chance for Libyans to overcome the crisis in their country," said a statement issued here by Ban' s spokesman. "He encourages the parties to make the necessary compromises to reach an agreement. Only by working together will Libyans be able to start building a state and institutions that can confront terrorism."

"The secretary-general expresses his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of this act and to the government of Ethiopia," the statement said.

Ethiopia has confirmed many of the Christians shown being shot and beheaded in a video purportedly made by the Islamic State (IS) group, or Daesh, were its citizens. Militants claimed the victims were killed in Libya.

The 29-minute video released online Sunday showed about 12 men being beheaded on a beach, while a further approximately 16 people were shot in the head in a desert area.

The victims were identified in the video as "followers of the cross from the enemy Ethiopian Church," reports said, adding that it was claimed one group had been held by an IS affiliated group in the east of the country, while the second group was with an IS ally in Libya's south. Endite