The UN Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned the Islamic State group's "heinous and cowardly" executions of two hostages from China and Norway.
IS published graphic photos of the bodies of the hostages, Chinese national Fan Jinghui and Ole-Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad of Norway, in its English-language Dabiq magazine.
It was unclear when, where, or how they were killed, but their heads were bloodied by apparent gunshot wounds.
"These crimes once again demonstrate the brutality of ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of crimes and abuses against people from all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities, and without regard to any basic value of humanity," said a statement from the 15-member council.
Council members said the perpetrators should face justice and stressed that the IS group "must be defeated.
