President Obama’s national security advisers told him Saturday they have no reason to dispute the French assessment that the Islamic State carried out the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
During an emergency meeting at the White House, National Security Council advisers told Mr. Obama they “had no information to contradict the initial French assessment of [the Islamic State’s] responsibility.”
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the simultaneous attacks, which killed at least 129 and wounded more than 350 people at six locations across the city. French authorities also say they believe the Islamic State is to blame.
The White House said U.S. authorities have “no specific or credible threat to the United States,” but the administration is reviewing its homeland security posture “to ensure we are doing everything necessary to protect the American people.”
Presidential aides said U.S. officials are actively sharing with France intelligence and information on military action against the Islamic State.
Mr. Obama also was briefed on security precautions in place at the U.S. embassy in Paris, and the White House said the president “directed his team to take all appropriate measures to ensure the security of embassy personnel.”
After receiving the national-security briefing, Mr. Obama departed Washington on Air Force One for Turkey, where he will take part in a meeting of the G-20 leaders. The Paris attacks and the Islamic State are expected to dominate the meeting.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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