MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti) - The European Union has expressed condolences in connection with the murder by the Islamic State (IS) of the French national Hervé Gourdel and has pledged to contribute to the international fight against the militant group, reads the statement published on the union's website Wednesday.
"The barbaric murder of the French national Hervé Gourdel is an affront to universally recognized values and rights," the statement read. "We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, and express our solidarity with the French government and people."
According to the statement, the murder of the French national shows how determined the IS fighters are in taking their terror mission further.
"The EU remains more united than ever in its commitment to support international efforts to fight these terrorist groups who endanger regional and global stability. No effort must be spared to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable," the statement concluded.
Hervé Gourdel was kidnapped in Algeria last week and murdered by the IS just hours after US President Barack Obama delivered a speech before the UN General Assembly Wednesday calling for the world to stand united against the threats by the Islamic State.
The IS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June 2014, the group extended its attacks to northern and western Iraq, declaring a caliphate on the territories over which it had control.
