London, June 29 (IANS): British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday called on the BBC not to use the phrase "Islamic State" when referring to the terror group operating in Iraq and Syria.

The prime minister, who calls the group "ISIL", said Muslims would "recoil" at the phrase being used to justify the "perversion of a great religion".

Cameron insisted that the battle against extremists targeting Britons around the world can be won but would require "extraordinary resolve and patience".

He criticised BBC presenter John Humphrys for referring to the group as Islamic State.

The extremist group was variously known as Islamic State, and DAESH, based on the Arabic acronym.

During his interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Cameron referred to the group as "ISIL".

"I wish the BBC would stop calling it Islamic State because it's not an Islamic State; what it is is an appalling, barbarous regime," Cameron said.

"It is a perversion of the religion of Islam and many Muslims listening to this programme will recoil every time they hear the words "Islamic State".

"So-called or Isil is better," he added.

However, some people on social media pointed out that ISIL was an acronym which refers to "Islamic State".