No justifying beheading: Annan

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said today he was appalled by the beheading of a South Korean translator in Iraq and called for the release of all others being held hostage in the country.

"The secretary general condemns in the strongest terms this heartless crime, which no political or other cause can justify," his spokesman said in a statement.

"The secretary general is appalled by the murder of Mr Kim Sun-Il," the statement said.

"On this sad and painful occasion, the secretary general extends his sincere condolences to the family of Mr Kim Sun-Il and the government of the Republic of Korea."

Islamic militants, linked to alleged al-Qaeda operative Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi, beheaded Mr Kim today after demanding that Seoul reconsider its decision to deploy troops to Iraq.

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South Korea’s National Security Council held an emergency meeting following the murder, officials in Seoul said, and the foreign ministry announced all South Koreans would be evacuated from Iraq except for essential personnel.

Some 65 South Korean nationals were in Iraq at the time of Kim’s kidnapping last week.