ISIL releases video purporting to show the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya

From AlJazeera

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has released a video purporting to show the killing of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya.

The footage released on Sunday appeared to show the Egyptian workers, all wearing orange jump suits, being beheaded near a waterfront.

At least 20 Egyptian workers were seized earlier this year from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya.

The video, titled “A message signed with blood to the nation of the cross”, says the killings were directed at “the hostile Egyptian Church”.

Speaking in English, a fighter from the group says the beheadings were revenge for “Muslim women persecuted by Coptic crusaders in Egypt”.

‘Punish these murders’

In the wake of the killings, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for an urgent meeting of Egypt’s top national security and declared seven days of mourning.

“Egypt reserves the right to respond in a suitable way and time to punish these murderers,” Sisi said in a televised speech.

Al-Azhar stresses that such barbaric action has nothing to do with any religion or human values.

Al-Azhar , centre of Islamic learning

Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church said it was “confident” that those who beheaded the hostages would be punished.

“The Orthodox Church … is confident its homeland would not rest until the evil perpetrators get their fair retribution for their wicked crime,” the Church said in a statement on its Facebook page.

Al-Azhar, the prestigious Cairo-based seat of Islamic learning, denounced the “barbaric” killings.

“Al-Azhar stresses that such barbaric action has nothing to do with any religion or human values,” it said in a statement.

Libya has slid into chaos after longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed three years ago, as interim authorities failed to confront powerful militias which fought to oust the veteran leader.

Taking advantage of the chaos, ISIL have carried out a string of deadly attacks.

The group has released several propaganda videos boasting vows of allegiance from fighters in the country. In October, Ansar al-Sharia in Derna pledged allegiance to ISIL.

For more on this story and video go to: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/02/isil-video-execution-egyptian-christian-hostages-libya-150215193050277.html