British PM chairs emergency meeting over killing of 2nd US journalist

An image grab taken from a video released by the Islamic State (ISIS) and identified by private terrorism monitor SITE Intelligence Group on Sept 2, 2014, purportedly shows footage of a masked militant threatening to kill Briton David Cawthorne Haine
An image grab taken from a video released by the Islamic State (ISIS) and identified by private terrorism monitor SITE Intelligence Group on Sept 2, 2014, purportedly shows footage of a masked militant threatening to kill Briton David Cawthorne Haines. British Prime Minister David Cameron was on Wednesday, Sept 3, to chair an emergency meeting following the execution of a second United States journalist by Islamist fighters in Iraq and the threat that a British hostage will be next. -- PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron was on Wednesday to chair an emergency meeting following the execution of a second United States journalist by Islamist fighters in Iraq and the threat that a British hostage will be next.

In a video showing the severed head of 31-year-old Mr Steven Sotloff, a masked militant warned that a British man, widely identified as Mr David Cawthorne Haines, would be killed in response to US air strikes against militants in northern Iraq.

Speaking ahead of the meeting of Britain's emergency response committee, Mr Cameron condemned Mr Sotloff's apparent beheading as "a despicable and barbaric murder". The video posted by the Islamic State came just two weeks after its killing of US reporter James Foley.

"As I have said consistently over the last few weeks, ISIS terrorists speak for no religion. They threaten Syrians, Iraqis, Americans and British people alike and make no distinction between Muslims, Christians or any other faith," Mr Cameron said.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and former foreign secretary William Hague were seen arriving at Downing Street for the 8.15am meeting, which will address the broad threat posed by the extremist group and the government's possible response.

Britain has so far not joined in US air strikes against the Islamist fighters, but has helped armed Kurds fighting in northern Iraq and has dropped aid to people surrounded by ISIS fighters on Mount Sinjar and in the town of Amerli.

Mr Cameron on Monday announced that Britain will make it easier for police to seize passports from would-be jihadist fighters, increase air travel checks and tighten controls on the movement of suspected radicals.

The Prime Minister was addressing the House of Commons after Britain on Friday raised its terrorism threat level to "severe" because of concern over possible plots by radical Islamists returning from Iraq and Syria with battlefield experience.

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