Ban Ki Moon Condemns Journalist Beheading

Ban Ki Moon said he was outraged by the beheading of the journalists terming it 'despicable crime'.

He spoke after the militants released footage showing the beheading of a US journalist, Sotlof.

It followed the release of another footage last month of James Foley being killed.

The US is still verifying the video but said the killing if confirmed would be one of "sickening brutality".

The family of the slain journalist said they were "grieving privately".

Mr. Sotloff, 31, who was seized in Syria in 2013, appeared in a video last month which showed fellow US journalist James Foley being killed.

In the latest video, a militant threatens to kill a British hostage who was also shown in the footage.

His family has aked the media not to release his name.

The militant threatening to kill the British hostage has a voice with a British accent similar to that of the man who appeared to carry out the beheading of James Foley.

A meeting of the UK’s Cobra emergency committee to be chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron is set to discuss the matter.

US President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of an additional 350 troops to Baghdad, to protect US diplomatic facilities after the news of the video emerged.

In the last one month, the US has launched more than 120 air strikes in Iraq, in an attempt to help Kurdish forces curb the advance of Islamic State militants and protect minorities.

By Bonareri Nyamoita

Source: BBC News Africa