EU backs global fight against IS after Sotloff 'atrocity'

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union said Wednesday it was "more committed than ever" to the international fight against the Islamic State after the murder of US journalist Steven Sotloff by the jihadist group.

"The outrageous murder of the American journalist Steven Sotloff is another demonstration of the ISIL's determination to pursue and extend its terror strategy," the 28-nation bloc said in a statement from Brussels.

"The EU remains more committed than ever to support international efforts to fight ISIL and all the terrorist groups who endanger regional and global stability," it said, referring to the group by its previous name, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Sotloff, 31, was beheaded by a black-clad jihadist in a video released by the Islamic State, which has also threatened to kill a British man. Last month another American reporter, James Foley, was murdered in a similar fashion.

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that the United States would not be "intimidated" by Sotloff's execution, while London joined Washington on the frontlines following the killing by saying it would not rule out taking part in airstrikes.

The EU added: "This atrocity, like the considerable number of other human rights violations for which ISIL claims responsibility, is an affront to universally recognised values and rights."