There is no clear evidence that the Orlando gunman was directed by the so-called Islamic State group (IS), US President Barack Obama has said.

But the inquiry into the attack on the Pulse gay night club, in which 49 people were killed, is being treated as a terrorist investigation, he added.

The US authorities say gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to IS shortly before the attack in Florida.

However, the extent of his links to IS remains unclear.

Speaking in Washington, the president said: “It does appear that at the last minute he [gunman Omar Mateen] announced allegiance to Isil [IS].

“But there is no evidence so far that he was in fact directed.

“This is certainly an example of the kind of home-grown extremism that all of us have been concerned about for a very long time.”

 

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36521761