Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momeni said the kingdom is doing 'everything it can' to secure the release of Maaz al-Kassasbeh, who was captured by ISIL after his F-16 fighter jet crashed in territory controlled by the terrorists in Syria in December.

ISIS has been demanding the release of a convicted female Iraqi ISIL member on death row in Jordan in exchange for Kassasbeh's life - a demand the government has expressed readiness to accept provided it is given proof that the pilot still alive.

The news comes just two days after ISIS' British executioner in chief, terrorist John, savagely murdered Japanese journalist Kenji Goto in a shocking filmed beheading after days of intensive negotiations through intermediaries to save him.