1st LD Writethru: UN Security Council slams IS killing of Chinese, Norwegian citizens

The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned "in the strongest terms" the "heinous and cowardly act" of the murdering of a Chinese citizen, Fan Jinghui, by the Islamic State (IS).

In a press statement released here, the 15-nation council also condemned the IS killing of a Norwegian citizen, Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, saying these crimes once again demonstrate the brutality of IS.

IS announced its killing of the Chinese hostage and the Norwegian one in a latest issue of its English-language magazine Dabiq. China confirmed the death of Fan earlier on Thursday.

"The members of the Security Council stressed that those responsible for the killing of Fan Jinghui and Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad all be held accountable and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with China, Norway and all other relevant authorities in this regard," said the statement.

The council members expressed "deep sympathy and condolences" to the family of the victims, to the Government of China and Norway, as well as to the families of all victims of IS, stressing that IS must be defeated.

Recalling that IS is included on the Al-Qaida Sanctions List and is thus subject to the asset freeze and arms embargo, the most powerful UN body said any individual or entity that provides financial or material support to the group will be subject to sanctions measures.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," said the statement. Enditem