World leaders condemn attack on Paris weekly

(MENAFN- Arab News) WASHINGTON: The attack on the offices of a satirical newspaper in Paris on Wednesday drew condemnation from world leaders who called the attack barbaric and despicable.

President Barack Obama offered help to French officials to pursue terrorists responsible for what he is calling a 'horrific shooting' at a satirical weekly newspaper.

In a statement Obama offered thoughts and prayers for the people of France which he called 'America's oldest ally.'

'France and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers' Obama said.

'Everybody here at the White House are with the families of those who were killed or injured in this attack' White House spokesman Josh Earnest said speaking on MSNBC.

'Senior officials at the White House have been in close touch with their counterparts in France this morning' he added.

'The United States stand ready to work closely with the French' to help them probe the attack.

Earlier gunmen stormed the offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris killing at least 12 people.

Earnest told CNN the French have been 'stalwart allies' in the US fight against Islamic State extremists. The spokesman also says 'We know they are not going to be cowed by this terrible act.'

Earnest also says Washington will work hard to protect Americans at home and abroad.

He says 'We obviously are trying to monitor what we consider to be a very important threat which is the threat of foreign fighters.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the victims of the Paris newspaper attack and condemned "terrorism" in all its forms his spokesman said Wednesday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron described the attack as 'barbaric' saying Britain stood with its ally against 'all forms of terrorism.'

Cameron made the comments at the start of his weekly question and answer session in Parliament's lower House of Commons.

'I'm sure the whole House will want to join me in condemning the barbaric attack this morning on an office of a magazine in Paris' he said.

'While details are still unclear I know that this house and this country stands united with the French people in our opposition to all forms of terrorism and we stand squarely for free speech and democracy."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel termed the attack 'despicable' in a condolence letter to President Francois Hollande.

'I was shocked to learn of the despicable attack on the newspaper in Paris' the German leader wrote.

'I would like to express to you and your compatriots in this hour of suffering the sympathy of the German people as well my own sorrow and convey my condolences to the victims' loved ones.'

The French newspaper Charlie Hebdo's staple is to be provocative poking fun at popes presidents as well as religious figures.

The satirical weekly has a history of drawing outrage across the Muslim world with crude cartoons of Islam's holiest figure.

The magazine published blasphemous sketches amid an uproar over an anti-Muslim film. As passions raged the French government defended free speech even as it rebuked Charlie Hebdo for fanning tensions.