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".
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'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.
Source: Al Jazeera
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