World leaders condemn murder of Japanese journalist

The father of a Jordanian pilot being held by Islamic State militants has urged his government to push forward with a proposed prisoner exchange to get his son back.

It comes just 24 hours after a video emerged appearing to show that a second Japanese hostage had been killed by the militants. Japan's prime minister was joined by leaders across the world in condemning the apparent murder.

Jordanian authorities had said they would free the failed suicide bomber the militant fighters had wanted released, but progress appears to have stalled. Duncan Golestani reports.

The fight against Islamic extremism is a "generational struggle", Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said

Speaking during a visit to Australia, Hammond said it was "important" to recognise that "the underlying challenge of extremist Islamism is going to be with us for a long while".

"This is a generational struggle against this ideology and we are going to have to fight these battles, not just in the Middle East, but in other parts of the world as well," the Foreign Secretary said.

"There is no where that is safe from this challenge and we need to work together to be two or three steps ahead in the chess game," he added.

World leaders have condemned the murder of a Japanese journalist by Islamic State militants in Syria. Kenji Goto's killing comes less than a week after the death of another man from Japan held by the group. The country's Prime Minister has vowed not to 'give in to terrorism'.

ITV News' Sejal Karia reports:

Jordan has strongly condemned the killing of the Japanese hostage Kenji Goto by Islamic State militants, according to state television.

Islamic State militants released a video on Saturday which purported to show the beheading of journalist Kenji Goto, whom the al Qaeda offshoot had been holding captive along with a Jordanian pilot. An official said Jordan is still ready to hand over an Iraqi prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi to Islamic State if a Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kesasbeh is released.

A crowd has gathered outside the Japanese Prime Minister's office in Tokyo following news that Islamic State militants have beheaded journalist Kenji Goto.

Kenji Goto's mother Junko Ishido has spoken of her grief after Islamic State released a video apparently showing the murder of her son.

Speaking to reporters after the video was released Ms Ishido broke down several times.

Mr Goto's brother, Junichi, also paid tribute to the journalist. He said: "I had hoped to give thanks for his return alive. But, as his brother, this outcome is very regrettable."

US President Barack Obama has condemned the 'heinous murder' by Islamic State of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, the White House said.

In a statement Mr Obama said: "The United States condemns the heinous murder of Japanese citizen and journalist Kenji Goto by the terrorist group ISIL.

"Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, the United States will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL."

The Prime Minister has issued a statement following reports of the murder of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto.

Japan's defence minister Gen Nakatani has said a purported Islamic State video that seems to show the murder of hostage Kenji Goto "appears genuine".