UN confirms Islamic State killing of 6 hostages in Libya

Tripoli, Dec 12 (IANS/AKI) The UN Support Mission in Libya has confirmed that the Islamic State militant group killed six hostages taken during its attack on Al-Foqua town in October, calling the assault "particularly abhorrent".

"The murder of six hostages taken during ISIL's attack on the town of Al-Foqha on October 28 is particularly abhorrent," the mission said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The senseless murders are a serious violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes," the statement said.

Libyan media reports on Sunday cited authorities in the Jufra region surrounding Al-Foqha as stating that the Islamic State had executed six out of 10 hostages captured in the attack.

The mission also deplored a series of attacks against civilians and facilities in Libya on Sunday and urged the authorities "to take prompt and effective action against the lawlessness engulfing the region".

--IANS/AKI

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