UN chief condemns IS killing of Jordanian pilot

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Tuesday condemned the killing of a Jordanian pilot held captive by the Islamic States (IS), saying the terrorist organization has "no regard for human life."

In a responding note to the media, Ban said he shares the sorrow of the family and loved ones of Moaz al-Kasasbeh, the pilot of the Jordanian Royal Air Force, and stands in solidarity with the people of Jordan in denouncing this "appalling" act.

Ban also urged all governments to strengthen their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and extremism within the bounds of their human rights obligations, according to the note.

UN Security Council also deplored the apparent murder of the pilot and strongly condemned the "heinous and cowardly act."

Al-Kasasbeh was captured after his plane crashed in December. Since then, he has become a main pawn for IS. The Jordanian government had expressed readiness to conduct a prisoner swap with IS in exchange for the safe release of al-Kasasbeh and Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. But the deadline for the swap expired on Jan. 29 as Jordan demanded proof from the IS militants that al- Kasasbeh was still alive.

The video of al-Kasasbeh's purported death came just days after the IS militants beheaded the Japanese journalist. The Jordanian government said it has confirmed the man burned to death was al- Kasasbeh and Jordanian TV reported that the killing took place on Jan. 3, far earlier than the prisoner swap proposed by IS.

In a press release shortly after Ban's statement, the Security Council demanded an immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who were kept hostage by IS, and stressed the need to defeat the organization as well as stamping out the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses.

Noting that IS is included on the al-Qaida Sanctions list, the most powerful UN body further recalled that any individual or entity that provides financial or material support to the group, including the provision of arms or recruits, is eligible to be added to list and subject to sanctions measures. Enditem