(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese officials are reacting to the Islamic State’s most recent video, which purportedly shows a Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage.
The 22-minute video allegedly shows images of 26-year-old First Lieutenant Maaz al-Kassabeh engulfed in flames.
King Abdullah II cut short his visit to Washington DC and flew back to Jordan where he vowed an “earth-shattering response.”
U.S. President Barack Obama denounced the apparent killing and pledged to “redouble the vigilance” to make sure the Islamic State is “ultimately defeated.”
“It’s just one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity of this organization,” Obama said.
Meanwhile, Jordan hung two Iraqi jihadists, one a woman, on Wednesday in response to the video. The Islamic State demanded the release of the woman, Sajida al-Rishawi, in exchange for a Japanese hostage it later beheaded.
Former Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati contacted Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Jouda and offered his condolences.
“This has nothing to do with the Islamic religion’s principles,” Mikati said, in a statement published by the Lebanese National News Agency.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri also reacted to al-Kassabeh’s apparent death.
“Neither mind not heart believe the barbaric crime committed against Jordanian pilot Maath Kassasbeh,” he posted on Twitter. “Obscurantism in the name of religion! Sincere condolences to King Abdallah, to the people of Jordan and to the Kassasbeh family.”
Editor’s Note: Lebanese Examiner is still awaiting formal statements from other Lebanese political groups regarding this developing story.