U.N. Condemns Killing of Syria Red Crescent Chief

U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon on Thursday condemned the killing of a Syrian Red Crescent chief and demanded the Damascus government investigate the crime.

Ban is "deeply concerned" at the killing of Abdelrazak Jbeiro, the Syrian Red Crescent secretary general, who was ambushed Wednesday while driving in the restive northwest province of Idlib, said U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky.

"The secretary general condemns the attack that killed him, which targeted a vehicle clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem.

"He calls on the Syrian government to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. The secretary general reminds all of their obligation to respect and protect humanitarian workers as they perform their duties and impartially serve all those who are in need," said Nesirky.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also expressed "shock" and demanded that the Damascus government, which has launched a deadly crackdown on opposition protests, investigate the killing.

Syria's official SANA news agency said Jbeiro was killed by "an armed terrorist group" which opened fire with a machine gun.

The Syrian government blames "terrorist gangs" for the popular unrest that has swept the country since March, leaving thousands dead.