Iran Strongly Condemns Brutal ISIL Beheading of Egyptians in Libya

TEHRAN –The Iranian foreign ministry strongly deplored the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, who had gone to Libya in search of work, by the ISIL terrorist group.

“By hurting religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments, the perpetrators of such tragic acts are pursuing ominous goals which serve the interests of the Zionist regime through damaging the relationship among the followers of the great divine religions and destroying ties among the Muslim states,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said in a statement on Monday.

She further underlined the necessity and vital importance of full vigilance at all levels against the plots and suspicious moves and the dangerous consequences of the growth of extremism and terrorism in the region.

Afkham also extended her condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and the Egyptian nation and government.

The Egyptian Coptic Christians, who had gone to Libya in search of work, were marched to a beach, forced to kneel and then beheaded on video, which was broadcast on Sunday via a website that supports the ISIL.

Egypt’s air force bombed the ISIL targets inside Libya on Monday, a day after the group released the video.

It was the first time Egypt confirmed launching air strikes against the group in neighboring Libya.

Egypt said the dawn strike, in which Libya’s air force also participated, hit ISIL camps, training sites and weapons storage areas in Libya, where civil conflict has plunged the country into near anarchy and created havens for militia.

A Libyan air force commander said between 40 to 50 militants were killed in the attack. “There are casualties among individuals, ammunition

and the (ISIL) communication centers,” Saqer al-Joroushi told Egyptian state television.

“More air strikes will be carried out today and tomorrow in coordination with Egypt,” he said.

FNA

R.S