Jordan condemns killing of Japanese hostage

Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned the killing of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto by the ISIL in a telephone call to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday.
The Jordanian King "voiced his strong condemnation, and that of the Jordanian people and government, for this criminal act" as a breach of all international norms and charters as well as Islamic Sharia, according to a royal statement.
He affirmed that all efforts are being exerted to secure pilot the release of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh, who was captured by ISIL in December.
For his part, the Japanese premier also praised the close coordination with the Jordanian government and security agencies, regarding efforts to release Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, who was killed by the ISIL terrorist group, the statement added.
He also hoped that Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh would return safely to Jordan as well as Japan's keenness to further strengthen relations with Jordan, particularly in the fight against terrorism, the statement noted.