EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — President Barack Obama is vowing that the United States "will be relentless" in its fight with Islamic State militants who beheaded a U.S. journalist in Iraq.

Calling for a global response to the group that now controls territory in both Iraq and Syria, Obama is condemning the group's execution of James Foley, whose death he says has left the nation heartbroken.

Speaking from Massachusetts, the president says he spoke Wednesday with Foley's family and offered condolences.

In forceful remarks, Obama said the entire world is "appalled" by Foley's killing. accused the Islamic State of torturing, raping and murdering thousands of people in "cowardly acts of violence." Obama condemned the Islamic State group, saying it aims to commit genocide as it targets Christians and other minorities, while torturing, raping and enslaving people who are overwhelmingly Muslim.

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