PARIS (AP) — The French president’s office says security is being increased in public places, and on public transport.

This, as France considers whether to extend its airstrikes against the Islamic State group into Syria. France has already become the first country to join the United States in carrying out airstrikes over Iraq, and security measures had been stepped up after that announcement.

Yesterday, French officials learned that militants linked to the Islamic State group beheaded a French hostage who had been kidnapped in Algeria. The militants had threatened to kill the man unless France abandoned the airstrikes in Iraq.

Instead, President Francois Hollande’s (frahn-SWAH’ oh-LAWNDZ’) office says France will “intensify” its support for Syrian opposition forces fighting the Islamic State extremists.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.