US president, UNHRC chief condemns Paris attack

US President Barack Obama Wednesday denounced the deadly attack on the offices of a Paris-based magazine, and pledged assistance, if need be, to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people," the president said in a written statement, describing France as the "oldest ally" of the United States that has stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Washington in the fight against terrorism.

"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," he said. "We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice."

Four other people were seriously wounded in the attack, in which at least two masked gunmen opened fire with assault rifles in the offices and then exchanged shots with police in the street before fleeing by car, press reports said.

French President Francois Hollande has characterised the shooting as a terrorist attack, and the country has raised the anti-terrorism alert in the greater Paris area to the highest level amid fears for more attacks in the region.

France, the target of Islamist fighters in reprisal for its military strikes against Islamist strong holds in Iraq and the Sahel region, has foiled several terror attacks in recent weeks, Hollande said.

The headquarters of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo was fire-bombed in November 2011 after it put an image of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad on its cover.

The United Nations Human Rights (UNHRC) chief also condemned the deadly shooting which claimed at least 12 lives.

"I utterly condemn the appalling and ruthless attack on media workers and police officers in Paris earlier today," Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.

"I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of France, especially the families, friends and colleagues of those who were shot in cold blood in their office, and of those lying critically injured in hospital," he said.

The top UN human rights official also urged anyone who has information that could help to locate the individuals who planned or carried out this hideous crime to immediately bring it to the attention of the French authorities.

An attack on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, a weekly magazine, in Paris Wednesday killed at least 12 people, including two policemen.