David Cameron: The world must work together to combat the 'ancient barbarism' of Isis

Prime Minister assures all will be done to help the victims and to bring the dead back home

(Number 10/Flickr/Creative Commons)

The "ancient barbarism" and sophisticated social media presence of Isis must be targeted in the wake of the slaughter on a Tunisia beach that left 38 tourists dead, David Cameron has said.

A total of 38 people were killed on Friday by gunman Seifeddine Rezgui in a massacre that Isis has claimed responsibility for.

Mr Cameron added that the “poisonous ideology” which drove the gunman to kill the holidaymakers must also be faced. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: “That ideology stems from an extremist narrative which hijacks the religion of Islam.

“It says that the West is bad and freedom is wrong.”

Describing how the nation must now react after the atrocities, the Prime Minister said: “We will not be cowed. To our shock and grief we must add another word: resolve. Unshakeable resolve. We will stand up for our way of life.”

He also said that Syria, Iraq and Libya - Isis' source - must also be dealt with and added that British aircraft are already delivering the second largest number of airstrikes over Iraq, where Isis has taken hold.

With the flag flying at half-mast above Downing Street today, Mr Cameron said everything was being done to help the victims of the attack and said that, helping the injured and bringing people home is the Government’s top-priority, adding: “In the coming days, we will do all we can to bring home those who lost their lives as quickly as possible.”

Downing Street also confirmed the Prime Minister will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee this morning in the wake of the attacks.