UN Security Council slams murder of British humanitarian aid worker by ISIL

The UN Security Council on Sunday "strongly condemned the heinous and cowardly murder" of David Haines, a British humanitarian aid worker, by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Haines is the third foreign hostage who was beheaded by the ISIL, a military group which has made stunning advances across Syria and northern Iraq over the recent months. It is also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or simply the Islamic State (IS).

"This crime is a tragic reminder of the increasing dangers humanitarian personnel face every day in Syria," the 15-nation UN Council said in a statement issued to the press here. "It also once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian and Iraqi people."

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the family of the victim, to the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as to the families of all victims of ISIL" the statement said. "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 members of the council further emphasized that such continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL do not intimidate them but rather stiffen their resolve that there has to be a common effort amongst 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-Qaida, as the council resolved in UN Security Council Resolution 2170," said the statement.

The Security Council recalled UN Security Council Resolution 2175 and their demand that all parties involved in an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law, including to ensure the respect and protection of all humanitarian personnel, the statement said, stressing that 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.

"The members of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida," the statement said. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice."

While stressing those responsible for the killing of David Haines shall be held accountable, the Security Council urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

"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," the statement added.

Before the killing of the 44-year-old Haines, the ISIS also beheaded two American journalists -- James Foley and Steven Sotloff -- in back-to-back executions after the United States started to launch airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq in the past month.