The office of France's President Francois Hollande said Thursday it would increase security across the country in public places and on public transportation after militants linked to the Islamic State group beheaded a French hostage. Hollande confirmed the killing of Hervé Gourdel in an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.
"Preventive measures against terrorist risks implemented in the country will be strengthened in public places and transport," read the statement from the French presidency. The country will also increase its support of opposition forces fighting militant groups in Syria, it said.
France carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq on Thursday, a government spokesman said, joining the U.S.-led air campaign against the extremists that began Monday.