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Islamic State: Egyptian Christians held in Libya 'killed' Islamic State: Egyptian Christians held in Libya 'killed'
(35 minutes later)
A video has emerged showing the beheadings purportedly of 21 Egyptian Christians who had been kidnapped by Islamic State (IS) militants in Libya.A video has emerged showing the beheadings purportedly of 21 Egyptian Christians who had been kidnapped by Islamic State (IS) militants in Libya.
The footage shows a group wearing orange overalls, being forced to the ground and then decapitated.The footage shows a group wearing orange overalls, being forced to the ground and then decapitated.
Egypt's National Defence Council is to meet in emergency session to discuss its response to the killings.Egypt's National Defence Council is to meet in emergency session to discuss its response to the killings.
IS militants claim to have carried out several attacks in Libya, which is effectively without a government. IS militants claim to have carried out several attacks in Libya, which is in effect without a government.
However, with many armed groups operating in Libya, it is not clear how much power IS actually wields.However, with many armed groups operating in Libya, it is not clear how much power IS actually wields.
National mourningNational mourning
The kidnapped Egyptian workers, all Coptic Christians, were seized from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, now under the control of Islamist groups. 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.
On Friday, IS released pictures of the Egyptians, saying they had been kidnapped to avenge the fate of Muslim women "tortured and murdered by the Coptic church of Egypt". The video of the beheadings was posted online by Libyan jihadists who pledge loyalty to IS. A caption made it clear the men were targeted because of their faith.
The video of the beheadings was posted online by Libyan jihadists who pledge loyalty to IS. It referred to the victims as "people of the cross, followers of the hostile Egyptian church".
The identities of the murdered men have not been confirmed, but Egypt has declared seven days of national mourning.The identities of the murdered men have not been confirmed, but Egypt has declared seven days of national mourning.
The beheadings were described as "barbaric" by al-Azhar, the highly regarded theological institution which is based in Egypt.
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 and the overthrow of its then-leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi.Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 and the overthrow of its then-leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi.
Since then, numerous other militia groups have battled for control.Since then, numerous other militia groups have battled for control.
The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned last month that IS was assembling "a growing international footprint that includes ungoverned and under-governed areas", including Libya.The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned last month that IS was assembling "a growing international footprint that includes ungoverned and under-governed areas", including Libya.
Rival governmentsRival governments
Libya has two rival governments, one based in Tripoli, the other in Tobruk. Meanwhile, the eastern city of Benghazi, headquarters of the 2011 revolution, is largely in the hands of Islamist fighters, some with links to al-QaedaLibya has two rival governments, one based in Tripoli, the other in Tobruk. Meanwhile, the eastern city of Benghazi, headquarters of the 2011 revolution, is largely in the hands of Islamist fighters, some with links to al-Qaeda
Many Egyptians go to Libya looking for work, despite warnings from their government.Many Egyptians go to Libya looking for work, despite warnings from their government.
Egypt's president had earlier this week offered to airlift Egyptian expatriates out of Libyan territory.Egypt's president had earlier this week offered to airlift Egyptian expatriates out of Libyan territory.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said in the past that militants in Libya are a danger not just to Egypt, but also to the Middle East, reports the BBC's Orla Guerin, in Cairo.
There had been demonstrations in Egypt calling on the government to do more to secure the release of those held.There had been demonstrations in Egypt calling on the government to do more to secure the release of those held.
Estimates as to the number of Copts living in Egypt today range from about nine million to 15 million out of a total population of about 87 million.Estimates as to the number of Copts living in Egypt today range from about nine million to 15 million out of a total population of about 87 million.