16th February, 2015
A video has emerged purportedly showing the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians who had been kidnapped by Islamic State (IS) militants in Libya.
The footage reportedly shows the group of construction workers wearing orange overalls, being forced to the ground and then decapitated.
Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has warned that his country would respond to the killings in any way it sees fit.
The kidnapped Egyptian workers, all Coptic Christians, were seized in December and January from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, now under the control of Islamist groups.
The Coptic church has reportedly said it was “confident” Egypt – which has declared seven days of national mourning – would exact retribution.
In Australia, the Coptic Orthodox community has expressed sadness at the loss with Bishop Suriel, of the diocese of Melbourne and affiliated regions, saying the community was "devastated" to hear of the executions and "deeply concerned" for the safety of the 60,000 Copts living in Libya.
He said Copts around the world will be praying for God to protect His people and for peace.
Earlier, BosNewsLife reported that advocacy group Coptic Solidarity had urged Egypitian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to "immediately take the lead to save the innocent workers, abducted for their faith and possibly to revenge Mr. Sissi’s war on Islamist fighters".
It noted that, "Confronting the (Islamic) State terrorists in Egypt’s western flank is no less important than combating them in Sinai", where several Christians are known to have been kidnapped.
– DAVID ADAMS
