President speaks about airstrikes in Syria

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama thanked the country's Middle East allies for participating in the airstrikes against the Islamic State militants that began Monday.

He said about 40 nations also have offered to help to take out Islamic State militants and to cut off their funding. He also plans to step up arming the rebels in Syria.

"We will not tolerate safe haven for militants who threaten our people and our safety," Obama said at a press conference today on the south lawn of the White House. "We will do what is necessary to take this fight to these militants."