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Obama strongly condemns 'barbaric murder' of hostage Luke Somers
US President Barack Obama has strongly condemned the death of Luke Somers at the hands of al Qaida militants, calling it a "barbaric murder".
There were "compelling reasons" to believe the 33 year old's life was in danger, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
Somers, an American citizen who was born in Britain, was kidnapped in September last year while he was working for the Yemen Times.
South African hostage Peter Korkie was killed alongside Somers, charity Gift of the Givers confirmed.
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- 6 December 2014 at 12:47pm
The South African government will "ensure" that the body of murdered Pierre Korkie will be brought home following reports of his death today.
Korkie died alongside fellow hostage Luke Somers during a rescue attempt by US special forces in Yemen.
Nelson Kgwete, a spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for the Republic of South Africa, said: "We have been informed that the American special forces are now in possession of Mr Korkie's body.
"We will arrange with them and the government of Yemen to ensure that we repatriate Pierre's remains to South Africa."
Last updated Sat 6 Dec 2014
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