French hostage Herve Gourdel beheaded in Algeria

French President Francois Hollande has strongly condemned the beheading in Algeria of a tourist, Herve Gourdel by a jihadist group linked to Islamic State (IS) militants.

The President described the killing as a cruel and cowardly act.  He said French air strikes on IS targets in Iraq last week would continue.

The jihadist Group, Jund al-Khilafa killed Mr Gourdel, 55, after its deadline for France to halt air strikes on IS in Iraq ran out.

Algeria said it would do everything possible to bring the killers to justice.

Algeria insists its commitment to fight the scourge will grow even stronger.

Mr Hollande told the UN General Assembly that his country will not give up the fight adding that the fight against terrorism must continue and be stepped up.

Mr Hollande looked visibly upset as he addressed the UN General Assembly.

BBC