UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is horrified at the decapitation of an American in Iraq that was transformed into "a public spectacle" and appealed today for the respect of international law.
Annan also condemned "all killings of innocent civilians in Iraq as he condemns all abuse of prisoners and other violations of international humanitarian law," U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
A videotape of the beheading of American Nick Berg, 26, who owned a small telecommunications business, was posted yesterday on an al-Qaida-linked Web site.
One of the five hooded killers read a statement saying the execution was carried out to avenge the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad.
Eckhard said Annan "was horrified by the gruesome murder of a civilian hostage yesterday in Iraq and he was particularly disturbed by the use of this killing as a public spectacle."
"He extends his deepest condolences to the family of the victim, and can only imagine how they must be feeling," Eckhard said.
"Now more than ever, he once again appeals to all parties to adhere strictly to the fundamental precepts of human rights and principles of international humanitarian law," Eckhard added.
{{/usCountry}}"Now more than ever, he once again appeals to all parties to adhere strictly to the fundamental precepts of human rights and principles of international humanitarian law," Eckhard added.
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